Google's AI powers nuclear war sims, faces Android push, unveils Nano Banana 2

Google’s AI models powered 95 percent of nuclear‑weapon deployments in recent war‑game simulations, Decrypt reported. The analysis covered OpenAI, Google and Anthropic systems and found Google’s Gemini‑based tools most frequently chosen for strike‑scenario modeling. The finding raises fresh scrutiny of AI’s role in strategic planning as governments grapple with autonomous decision‑making risks.

At the same time, Google announced a mandatory developer‑registration scheme for any Android app distributed outside Google Play. An open letter signed by civil‑society groups and tech firms, addressed to Sundar Pichai, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, warns the policy could stifle competition and limit user choice, and it has been copied to regulators for review. The letter, dated Feb. 24, 2026, urges Google to abandon the central‑registry requirement, citing concerns over market dominance and developer autonomy.

In parallel, Google unveiled Nano Banana 2, the next‑generation image‑generation model built on Gemini 3.1 Flash Image. According to the Google Cloud blog, the model delivers “Pro‑level” quality at “lightning‑fast speed,” enabling rapid iteration from a single prompt. Engadget confirmed the rollout will replace Nano Banana Pro across Google’s consumer and enterprise products, expanding access to high‑fidelity generative visuals.

Google’s VP of Product Management for Vertex AI, Michael Gerstenhaber, emphasized that Nano Banana 2 is now available to enterprise customers via Google Cloud, promising tighter workflow integration and scalable performance. The announcement positions the model as a cornerstone for businesses seeking to accelerate creative production without sacrificing quality.

Together, the three moves illustrate Google’s dual strategy: deepening AI capabilities for high‑stakes applications while tightening control over its Android ecosystem. The nuclear‑simulation data, the developer‑registration push, and the Nano Banana 2 launch all arrive within days, signaling an aggressive push to cement Google’s dominance across both defense‑grade AI and consumer‑facing platforms.