Google is taking Earth AI to an entirely new level — merging geospatial intelligence with its powerful Gemini AI models to help governments, organisations, and communities predict, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters more effectively.
From floods and wildfires to droughts and pollution, this next generation of AI-driven Earth tools gives users real-time answers about the planet’s most pressing challenges — and the people most affected by them.
A Smarter Earth, Powered by Gemini AI
At its core, Google’s upgraded Earth AI platform combines satellite imagery, environmental data, and Gemini’s reasoning capabilities to create a living, learning model of the Earth.
This means users — from local governments to non-profits — can now ask questions like:
“Which regions are most at risk from this week’s floods?”
“How many people could be displaced if a drought continues?”
“Which roads are still open during a wildfire evacuation?”
and get AI-powered answers in real time.
During the 2025 California wildfires, Google’s disaster response systems — powered by Gemini — delivered crisis alerts and evacuation routes to over 15 million people across Los Angeles, guiding them safely to shelters and clear zones.
Global Reach: Flood Forecasting for Two Billion People
Google says its AI-based flood forecasting now reaches over two billion people worldwide, helping governments and humanitarian agencies predict and respond before disaster strikes.
“Our flood forecasting now reaches more than two billion people worldwide,” Google said.
“It helps organisations like World Vision deliver food and clean water to communities when they need it most.”
These predictions aren’t just about weather — they’re about connecting data with human needs, ensuring help reaches those in harm’s way faster and smarter.
Connecting the Dots with Geospatial Reasoning
One of the biggest breakthroughs in Google Earth’s evolution is a new capability called Geospatial Reasoning.
This feature uses Gemini AI models to connect data from multiple sources — such as:
- Weather forecasts
- Topography and terrain data
- Population maps
- Infrastructure layers
- Real-time satellite imagery
By correlating these diverse data sets, Gemini can now identify patterns and predict outcomes far beyond what traditional models can achieve.
For example, the non-profit GiveDirectly can now merge flood projections with population data to pinpoint the most vulnerable communities and deliver aid to them in record time.
Google has also launched a Trusted Tester program for social impact organisations, allowing them early access to test and refine these life-saving tools.
Smarter Insights Directly in Google Earth
The integration of Earth AI into Google Earth means users can now do instant analysis directly within the app — transforming it from a visualization tool into an intelligent decision engine.
Imagine being able to:
- Track rivers drying up and alert local water boards
- Identify algae blooms before they contaminate reservoirs
- Monitor wildfire-prone regions using vegetation health data
- Predict dust storms from changing soil patterns
These aren’t hypothetical scenarios — they’re real-world applications already being used by water utilities, environmental agencies, and governments.
By embedding Gemini’s contextual reasoning into Google Earth, AI turns raw satellite data into actionable insights, empowering users to act before crises escalate.
Earth AI Comes to Google Cloud
In a parallel move, Google is bringing Earth AI models to Google Cloud, opening access to the same cutting-edge geospatial intelligence tools for businesses, researchers, and public institutions.
Now, anyone using Google Cloud can combine:
- Their own private datasets
- With Google’s environmental, population, and imagery models
This fusion enables powerful new use cases:
- Insurance companies predicting climate-related risks
- Agricultural firms tracking soil moisture and crop yield
- Energy companies monitoring vegetation near power lines to prevent wildfires
- Urban planners designing cities resilient to flooding and heat waves
This approach democratizes climate and disaster intelligence, making once-exclusive capabilities available to organisations of all sizes.
Real-World Impact: Earth AI in Action
Across the globe, Google’s Earth AI is already saving lives and improving response efforts:
🌍 Africa – The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa uses Earth AI to predict cholera outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By combining rainfall, sanitation, and population data, they can plan vaccination drives and water interventions in high-risk zones.
🌲 Global Environmental Monitoring – Satellite companies like Planet Labs and Airbus rely on Earth AI to track deforestation and monitor vegetation growth near power lines, reducing fire risks and ensuring continuity of critical infrastructure.
🌀 Insurance and Risk Management – Bellwether, an Alphabet X initiative, partners with McGill and Partners, a global insurance broker, using Earth AI to predict hurricane paths and accelerate claims processing after disasters.
These examples illustrate how AI and geospatial data, when merged, can transform how the world responds to natural and humanitarian crises.
Bringing Generative AI to the Planet’s Problems
At the heart of this evolution lies Gemini’s generative AI capabilities — able to understand, explain, and visualize complex global systems.
For instance, Gemini can generate summaries of environmental patterns or create interactive visualizations of at-risk areas. This allows decision-makers to communicate insights clearly and quickly, even under pressure.
It’s AI with purpose — designed not to replace human judgment, but to enhance it with clarity, speed, and scope.
A Step Toward AI-Driven Sustainability
Google’s integration of Earth AI and Gemini models reflects a growing shift: AI isn’t just for automation — it’s for adaptation.
With climate change accelerating, the need for real-time, data-informed decision-making has never been greater. By opening its models to partners, researchers, and humanitarian organizations, Google is turning AI into a global resilience tool.
From forecasting droughts to mapping pollution, Earth AI is helping the world see, understand, and act — before disaster strikes.
Google’s Call to Action
Google is now inviting non-profits, NGOs, and climate organizations to apply as Trusted Testers for the new Earth AI capabilities.
These early users will collaborate directly with Google engineers and AI researchers to develop real-world applications of the technology — spanning disaster response, public health, sustainability, and resource management.
This marks a major step in Google’s broader mission to use AI for planetary-scale problem-solving, bridging technology and humanity for a safer, more sustainable future.
Conclusion: Gemini AI Turns Google Earth Into a Planetary Intelligence System
With Gemini AI, Google Earth is evolving from a static visualization platform into a living model of the planet — one that can think, reason, and respond.
By combining geospatial data, real-time satellite imagery, and predictive modeling, Google is transforming how the world sees and safeguards itself against natural and environmental challenges.
From predicting floods before they strike to mapping the human impact of droughts, Earth AI is not just about seeing the world — it’s about saving it.
Key Takeaways:
🌍 Flood forecasting now reaches over 2 billion people worldwide.
🔥 AI-powered crisis alerts reached 15 million during the 2025 California wildfires.
☁️ Earth AI models are now available on Google Cloud for global use.
💧 Used by WHO, Planet Labs, and Alphabet’s Bellwether for real-world applications.