Google announced Tuesday that it will switch off AI products, including the Gemini chatbot and Google Search, by default for students in schools using its education software. This change follows an investigation into the company's AI rollout in schools.
While Google is providing more ways for teachers and schools to limit AI tools, the company acknowledged that artificial intelligence is now entwined with Google Search. Consequently, schools that block AI features entirely will no longer have student access to the search engine. K-12 schools that want their students to have access to Google Search must now turn it on themselves, which will automatically include the integrated AI features.
Along with these changes, Google is offering new AI products for classrooms, including tools that purportedly do not give away answers. However, the rollout has faced backlash, with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other critics accusing Google of attempting to pressure U.S. schools into using AI.