Google confirmed in a blog post on Tuesday that AI tools will no longer be turned on automatically for schoolchildren. Tools like Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search will stay off for K-12 accounts until school administrators decide to activate them.
The company told AFP that these settings will roll out globally, beginning in the United States, but an exact date has not been decided yet.
The Search problem
The change comes with a twist for schools. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education, explained to The New York Times that Search and AI are deeply connected.
Because AI features are built straight into the engine, schools cannot offer Google Search without AI. If administrators decide to block AI, students will lose access to search entirely and see an unavailable message instead.
“We know there's concern about students using AI to shortcut schoolwork, and schools have told us they want control”Google
Backlash and debates
Google tools dominate American classrooms, with devices like Chromebook laptops and apps like Gmail, Docs, and Classroom widely used. Over 150 million students around the world use Google Classroom, as noted in a letter sent to Google by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley.
Critics were unhappy when Google brought its Gemini chatbot into Classroom for all ages back in August. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani took to X to accuse the company of trying to push AI into public schools, while both New York and Los Angeles announced plans in September to limit AI on school gadgets.
In response to the worries, Google stated on X that the update gives schools more choice, acknowledging that schools want full control over how tech is used.
What happens next
The new controls will be rolled out globally starting in the United States, though Google has not yet confirmed the date.
