Google restricts AI access, but schools that choose to ban it also lose Search

Update

Google declares it impossible to use Search without AI, threatening schools with loss of access to search

Google publicly acknowledged that its Search engine cannot be used without relying on artificial intelligence, a position confirmed by media analyses, such as that carried out by The Guardian. ^[2]

The official announcement came on Tuesday, when the tech giant presented a series of educational products based on AI, along with tools that allow teachers and institutions to limit or restrict the use of these technologies. ^[2]

Although Google maintains that schools have the right to control how students use AI in classrooms, the company imposes a strict condition: blocking AI functions by a school or teacher directly results in the impossibility for students to access Google Search. ^[2]

According to company directors, stated in a blog post, K-12 student accounts will have full access disabled for Gemini products, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search; functions will only be activated after explicit activation by school administrators. ^[2]

Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education, told the New York Times that 'search and AI are deeply integrated,' highlighting the absence of a Google Search independent of artificial intelligence elements. ^[2]

Phillips explained that in the event of a school-level ban on AI, students 'will not have access to the search feature and will see a message from the school indicating that it is not available.' Google did not respond to The Guardian's contacts at the time of the article's publication. ^[2]

The measure has been criticized as a sanction for failing to implement AI functionalities; New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who imposed a one-year moratorium on generative AI tools in public schools up to the eighth grade, accused Google of exploiting its majority control over online search. ^[2]

Mamdani posted on the platform X, now called 'social media platform X': 'Google is trying to use its monopoly power to impose AI in our public schools.' Lina Khan, former chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, issued a similar criticism, saying Google uses its search monopoly to 'force schools to adopt AI.' ^[2]

The omnipresence of the search engine had long turned it into an essential tool for students, and losing access to it could become a sufficient reason to opt for using the new AI functionalities. Additionally, Google maintains a dominant position in classroom technology in the U.S., offering cheap or free products ranging from Gmail and Google Docs to Google Classroom and Chromebooks. ^[2]

In parallel, Google announced the launch of 'Guided Learning,' an AI-based study tool that, unlike traditional methods, 'guides students through the problem-solving process' instead of giving them the direct answer. The company intends to integrate this functionality directly into Google Search. ^[2]

Illustrating the new tool, Google described a scenario where a student pastes a complex physics problem or requests help for a book review in Search, where they will receive suggestions to help them think critically and understand concepts, without getting straight to the answer. ^[2]

Lila Byock, founder of a school organization, characterized Google's announcement as a 'hostile ultimatum.' Her organization represents a national coalition of parents and teachers advocating for more student-centered policies regarding screen use. ^[2]

Byock stated: 'This type of intimidation has no place in our schools. Educational value—not shareholder value—should determine what products are used by students, and regulatory authorities must intervene to prevent large tech companies from exploiting students for profit.' ^[2]

Since the publication, Google has not provided specific technical details about exactly how these controls will work, but Chris Phillips promised on the official blog that more information will be communicated in the coming months, to allow institutions to prepare for the transition. ^[2]

The recent announcements include Google's public recognition of the mutual dependence between standard search engines and artificial intelligence technologies, a position that triggered a wave of criticism regarding market power abuse in the U.S. educational sector. ^[2]

The central unresolved issue is the tension between the desire of institutions to protect students from overexposure to screens and AI, and the dependence of current search systems on these components, creating a legislative and commercial conflict that will be monitored by regulators. ^[2]

The newly announced functionalities, such as 'Guided Learning,' will attempt to shift the paradigm from providing direct answers to guiding students through a logical thinking process, an approach intended to compensate for the loss of access to generative tools if they are banned. ^[2]

Public reactions, from city officials to non-profit organizations, highlight increased concern regarding potential conflicts of interest where tech companies leverage their monopoly position to influence educational curricula and the adoption of specific technologies. ^[2]

Update

Google denies coercion accusations: schools can set their own rules for AI

Against the backdrop of violent political reactions, the company responded with a post on X, declaring that the new measures aim to give schools more flexibility in determining how students interact with AI, emphasizing that 'schools are in control,' having the ability to activate these functions according to their own criteria. Google also announced improvements for Search in the school environment, specifying that 'AI Mode' and 'AI Overviews' will be modified to provide a step-by-step 'guided learning' process, with the goal that students do not receive quick answers to homework. ^[3]

Update

Google asks schools to choose between search engine and artificial intelligence

Google will automatically disable its artificial intelligence tools for K-12 student accounts, asking school administrators to manually activate them before students can use the technology, the company announced in a message published on Tuesday. However, there is a major condition: if schools choose not to enable AI, students will no longer have access to the Google Search engine. The November announcement reverses a previous decision from August, when the company's AI products had been automatically activated in Google Classroom, Google's free learning management system intended for students of all ages. ^[5]

In October, technology and child safety organizations addressed an open letter to 150 school districts in the U.S. and their leadership, requesting the deactivation of the AI Assistant Gemini on school devices, concluding that 'children risk being harmed.' Chris Phillips, Google's vice president and general manager of education, stated in a message: 'Listening to schools, teachers, top researchers, and policymakers, we are now updating our approach to controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search.' ^[5]

For student accounts with Search enabled, Gemini will include a new study tool called Guided Learning. This interactive feature helps students solve homework problems step by step, rather than giving them direct answers. Starting next month, Guided Learning will be launched as a pilot program at a few schools in the U.S. to gather feedback before being expanded to more institutions. According to a message from Google's 2024 blog, over 150 million teachers and students worldwide use Google Classroom and Assignments, the company's application for distributing tasks and grading. A 2025 New York Times survey conducted among the top 20 largest school districts in the U.S. revealed that Google Chromebooks, starting at $179, are the most common devices in classrooms, with approximately 80% of teachers reporting that their school district provides Chromebooks for students. The default search engine on Chromebooks is Google Search. Google responded to accusations of forcing AI in schools, stating: 'We offer more freedom of choice.' A recent report stated that Google will disable AI tools – Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search – for K-12 students starting next year. Google's vice president of education, Chris Phillips, told the New York Times that the company's AI features are 'deeply integrated' into Search, meaning students cannot access one without the other. Soon after the announcement, many politicians and leaders, including Bernie Sanders and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, expressed outrage on social media. 'Google is trying to use its monopoly power to impose artificial intelligence in our public schools,' Zohran Mamdani wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Bernie Sanders wrote that 'Google threatens schools,' referring to the policy as 'extortion.' The company responded to the accusations by issuing a clarification regarding the modification. 'We want to clarify what we announced today about our educational services. Today's announcements offer schools more choice, not less,' Google wrote on X. In the post, Google clarified that while Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search will be OFF (disabled) by default, Schools are in control. They can choose to enable one, two, or all of these services individually, said the tech giant. Here is what Google said: We want to clarify what we announced today about our educational services. Today's announcements offer schools more choice, not less. Here is what we announced: - Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search will be OFF 🔴 by default. This is based on K-12 schools asking for more control over the use of AI services by students. - Schools are in control: They can choose to enable 🟢 one, two, or all of these services individually. - Also, we are updating Search for schools to make it better for learning. Specifically, AI Mode and AI Overviews will provide step-by-step guided learning through problems, so students do not receive quick answers to school assignments. We know there is concern about students using AI to avoid schoolwork, and schools have told us they want control. This is exactly why we are making these changes today to address the feedback we have heard from educators in recent months. And we will continue to engage deeply with educators to ensure we offer schools more choice, more controls, and improved search for learning. Schools should have control over AI in the classroom: Google The company also published a message on its blog saying that 'schools should have control over AI in their classrooms and provide administrators controls to help them manage their approach.' 'After listening to schools, teachers, top researchers, and policymakers, we are now updating our approach to controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search. Access to these products will be completely shut off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly activate them,' she said. 'We will provide more details to schools in the coming months, before the implementation of the changes, so that they have time to prepare and allow a smooth transition. Our goal is simple: to give school leaders the control and confidence to use AI products in the classroom as they see fit. We will continue to listen to feedback and evolve our approach in partnership with schools, teachers, pedagogical experts, and parents in helping the next generation learn and thrive.' Do you use AI every day? Take your AI Coefficient. Take the AIQ test. ^{[5] [4]}

Public Schools in New York City, the largest public school district in the U.S., is a Google client. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for NYC Public Schools directed to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s post on X. 'Google is trying to use its monopoly power to impose artificial intelligence in our public schools,' Mamdani wrote in his Tuesday post. 'No corporation should have the power to dictate how we teach our children. Our public schools exist to serve students, not to grow the profit margins of Big Tech.' The second-largest school district in the U.S., Los Angeles Unified School District, is also a Google client. A spokesperson for Los Angeles Unified told CNET via email that the organization is evaluating Google's announcement and its potential implications for schools, educators, and students. The district believes emerging technologies, including AI, have the potential to improve teaching and learning when introduced deliberately, responsibly, and with clear safety measures. 'Our Emerging Technologies Framework sets a set of principles to guide these decisions, including ensuring that technology supports, rather than replaces, educators, innovates direct student learning, promotes equitable access, protects student privacy and security, and is implemented transparently,' the spokesperson explained. ^[5]

Ying Xu, assistant professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and founder and director of the Harvard Child-Centered AI Lab, told CNET via email that Google’s Guided Learning tool could mitigate some of the negative consequences of using general AI tools. 'But, for me, the deeper question is: do students still need to learn how to find information using traditional search engines?' said Xu. Students miss out on learning fundamental skills In her work, Xu found that finding information using traditional search engines, unlike AI models, involves different processes, varying from how students formulate queries to how they evaluate information and integrate it from multiple sources. 'I am somewhat concerned that, even with Guided Learning, students might miss opportunities to practice these important information-search skills,' said Xu. 'A concern I have regarding Google’s announcement is whether schools will still have the option to support traditional information searching, without AI functionalities.' Until recently, the discussion focused on whether AI should be allowed in schools or not. Now, Google’s announcement forces schools to decide which specific AI functionalities to use and under what conditions, without the necessary support to make such decisions. Schools with more resources are better positioned 'I believe there is a risk that inequalities will widen here, because schools with more resources and technical expertise may be better positioned to manage these decisions, while others may have fewer options,' said Xu. However, she does not believe that a complete withdrawal from Google would necessarily be the solution, especially for districts that already rely on its systems. Instead, Xu believes that the type of support available to schools as they navigate AI-related decisions will be crucial. Regardless, the responsibility falls on schools 'Regardless of Google’s decision regarding search functionality, the responsibility lies with schools to protect students’ right to learn from human teachers and peers in human-led classrooms,' said Jennifer L. Steele, professor at the Baker School of Education at American University. 'Tools like Gemini Guided Learning, which uses AI to guide students through difficult questions, are not the answer.' When schools and teachers rely on technology companies to teach students how to use their AI tools and understand their strengths and weaknesses, problems arise, she said. 'If schools take this responsibility seriously, then how Google configures its applications will not really matter,' said Steele. Asked for a response to the surrounding dissatisfaction with the decision to disable the search engine for schools rejecting AI, a Google spokesperson sent to the company’s post on X stating that schools can choose to activate Gemini, Gemini Notebook, or Search separately. However, that post does not address the fact that AI Mode and AI Overviews will remain activated alongside Google Search. Thus, if schools do not want AI to be activated at all for students, they will still lose the ability to use the search engine. A Google spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment. Tracy Pizzo Frey, former head of management at Google, wrote on LinkedIn that Google could have allowed schools to disable AI Overviews, but instead chose to take students' access to Search away. The search engine DuckDuckGo holds noai.duckduckgo.com, its search engine without AI that automatically disables all AI functions and filters AI-generated images. 'AI overviews is a search module like maps, flights, or weather,' said a DuckDuckGo spokesperson in an email. 'Google can determine when it appears and when it doesn't.' Experts warn that educators cannot rely on tech platforms to self-regulate. Since AI tools are now permanent fixtures, schools must chart their own course. The main obstacle is an unfair playing field, where richer districts have the resources to adapt, leaving underfunded systems struggling to keep up. Anna Gragert is Senior Editor, Health and Housing. Anna Gragert (she/her/hers) was previously lifestyle editor at HelloGiggles, deputy editor at So Yummy, and chief lifestyle editor at Hunker. Over the last 12 years, she has written for LA Times, Elle, Bust Magazine, Dazed, Apartment Therapy, Well+Good, and others. At CNET she is chief editor on the Healthy Home team, and her coverage includes health, wellness technologies, meal kits, and home and kitchen technologies, with a focus on technology aimed at helping us live the healthiest and happiest lives. See full biography ^[5]

Update

Google asks schools to choose between search and AI

The Google company faces increasing opposition from teachers, child development experts, and parents regarding the use of its technology in schools, with negative reactions intensifying since August, when Google automatically activated the Gemini chatbot for K-12 students using Google Classroom, according to AP. ^[6]

K-12 schools will be able to activate or deactivate Google instruments individually—including Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search—all of which will be disabled by default until explicitly activated by administrators. However, because search is integrated with artificial intelligence, schools that completely abandon AI will also lose access to Google Search. ^[6]

'We believe schools should have control over artificial intelligence in classrooms and provide administrators controls to manage their approach,' said Chris Phillips, vice president and general manager of education at Google, in a blog post. ^[6]

Google is updating its search tools to make them 'better for learning,' including guiding students step by step through problem-solving, so they do not receive direct answers to homework. ^[6]

Complete disabling of artificial intelligence is incompatible with the use of Google products, because search depends on AI. Google is the dominant provider of educational technology in the U.S., and globally, 150 million students and teachers use the Google Classroom platform. ^[6]

Update

Google restricts AI access, but schools that choose to ban it also lose Search

Google will allow schools to completely disable access to its artificial intelligence tools, including the Search engine, for K-12 student accounts. The measure comes in the context of growing concerns regarding screen time and the use of AI in educational settings, with the New York district already having imposed a one-year moratorium on generative AI tools up to the eighth grade. ^[7]

The formal announcement, made Tuesday by the company, specifies that AI-based products, including the Gemini assistant and Google Search, will be disabled by default ('off by default') for K-12 students. Activating them becomes an explicit action that falls to school administrators. The decision reverses a previous move in August, when Google had automatically enabled Gemini in the Google Classroom app. ^[7]

Google has set a firm condition: if a school chooses to completely disable artificial intelligence functions, students will lose access to Google Search. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education, explained to The New York Times that 'search and AI are deeply integrated,' given 'AI Overviews' and other technical components that make the two inseparable in the current ecosystem. ^[7]

The policy change was presented as a direct response to requests from teachers and policymakers, who asked for more control over how AI is used in classrooms. ^[7]

Chris Phillips warned that schools banning AI 'will not have access to the search feature and will see a message from the school indicating that it is not available.' ^[7]

Amid violent political reactions, the company responded with a post on X, declaring that the new measures aim to give schools more flexibility in determining how students interact with AI, emphasizing that 'schools are in control,' having the ability to activate these functions according to their own criteria. ^[7]

In this post, Google explained that if schools choose not to activate AI, students will no longer have access to the Google Search engine. The company mentioned that students will see a message from the school indicating the service is unavailable. ^[7]

The policy change fits into a broader series of updates for AI-based learning tools promoted by Google. Under the principle of 'guided learning,' the system will attempt to guide students through steps to solve problems, rather than providing direct answers. ^[7]

According to this new principle, named 'guided learning,' when Google systems detect that a student uses Search to get help with homework, they will be guided to go through the problem or subject step by step, rather than receiving a single answer. ^[7]

A similar approach is adopted by other companies in the artificial intelligence field, trying to convince teachers and parents that their products represent valuable educational tools and that familiarity with artificial intelligence from school time is essential for later professional success. ^[7]

In August, OpenAI announced the launch of 'ChatGPT for Teens,' which, besides safety features, places strong emphasis on learning. ^[7]

The platform allows parents and adolescents to activate 'Study Mode,' to review and understand answers to questions. Also, several tech companies have provided funding for teacher training programs in the field of artificial intelligence. ^[7]

The decision comes in a context where more and more communities are demanding stricter restrictions on screen time and the use of artificial intelligence in schools, amid growing fears that this technology could affect the learning process and student development or could pose risks to their safety. ^[7]

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who announced this year the ban on the use of artificial intelligence in city public schools, reacted to Google's policy change, accusing the company of trying to 'force' the introduction of artificial intelligence in schools. ^[7]

'No corporation should have the power to dictate how we educate our children,' he wrote in a post published on Tuesday on X. ^[7]

Update

Google disables AI by default for K-12 students: Schools that refuse lose access to Search

AGERPRES confirms the details of Google's announcement regarding the default disabling of artificial intelligence tools (Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search) for K-12 student accounts. This measure reverses the decision from August 2026 and comes in the context of growing opposition from parents and elected officials, who criticized the automatic activation of the chatbot in Google Classroom. According to The New York Times, Google's Vice President for Education, Chris Phillips, explained that 'search and AI are deeply integrated,' meaning that schools completely rejecting AI will lose access to Google Search. ^[8]

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly accused that 'Google is trying to use its monopoly power to impose artificial intelligence in our public schools' on the X platform. In response, the company stated that it offers 'more options, not fewer,' emphasizing that 'schools hold control.' Google added that it is updating Search to provide 'step-by-step guided learning,' against the superficial use of AI for school assignments. ^[8]

Schools in New York have already disabled Gemini on Chromebooks and requested that Google block AI summaries in search results. The Los Angeles Unified School District announced that it is analyzing the implications of the announcement, respecting its own 'Emerging Technologies' framework which prioritizes safety and educator intervention. Google specified that global implementation will begin in the U.S., with no fixed start date, while over 150 million users already use Classroom. ^[8]

ALERTEGRAPRES: No news facts or new declarations that significantly contradict or complete the details reported by the source principal in the preceding paragraphs. It is strictly a legal copyright text. ^[8]

ALERTEGRAPRES: The text is a legal copyright warning and contains no editorial information about the event. ^[8]

Update

Google disables AI by default in schools; schools that refuse remain without Search

Google announced that it will disable its artificial intelligence tools by default, including the Gemini assistant, for K-12 student accounts, a policy change that reverses the automatic activation in August and comes amid growing criticism from parents, schools, and elected officials. Although this measure gives schools control over the activation of functions, the company set a firm condition: institutions that choose complete AI disablement will lose access to the Google Search engine, because, according to Google's vice president for education, Chris Phillips, search and artificial intelligence are 'deeply integrated' in the current ecosystem. ^[9]

The action triggered rapid political reactions; New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused on the X platform that Google 'is trying to use its monopoly power to impose artificial intelligence in our public schools,' joining other political figures who qualified the measure as coercive. In response, Google reaffirmed that schools remain 'in control' and have the option to individually activate Gemini, Gemini Notebook, or Search, as well as that it is updating search engines to provide 'step-by-step guided learning,' intended to prevent the superficial completion of assignments, without providing a direct answer. ^[9]

Implementation of the changes will take place globally, starting with the United States, although no concrete effective date was announced. While districts such as Los Angeles or New York analyze the implications and request additional details, New York has already specified that Gemini is disabled on students' Chromebook devices and has requested the blocking of AI summaries in search results. The news is supported by AFP reports, which cite official communications and statements from school directors, in contexts of tension between the necessity of introducing technology and protecting students. ^[9]

Update

Google restricts AI access, but schools that choose to ban it also lose Search

Google giant announced a change to its student access policy, by disabling its artificial intelligence-based assistant, Gemini, by default, in the context of increasingly harsh criticism from parents, education systems, and elected officials. ^[10]

Google strongly dominates the market for digital instruments in American schools, its applications, such as Gmail, Docs, and Classroom, being omnipresent, while Chromebook laptops, cheap, are the most distributed devices to students. ^[10]

According to the modifications announced Tuesday by Google, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, as well as the search engine itself, will be disabled by default for K-12 students, unless school administrators choose to explicitly activate them. This change implies that schools that decide to completely reject the use of artificial intelligence will not be able to offer students access to the Google search engine, because AI-based functions are now 'deeply integrated' into it. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president responsible for the education sector, explained to The New York Times that if a school completely bans artificial intelligence, students 'will not have access to the search function and will see a message from the school informing them that it is not available'. ^[10]

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, along with other American elected officials, accused Google on the X platform that it 'is trying to use its monopoly power to impose artificial intelligence in our public schools'. ^[10]

Google specified that these settings will be implemented globally, starting with the United States, although no concrete implementation date was established. In August 2026, Google made the Gemini assistant available to students within Classroom, offering guided assistance, quizzes, and study cards based on the subject matter studied. This default-enabled setting will be canceled. Both the city of New York and Los Angeles announced plans in September 2026 to restrict access to AI-based instruments on school devices. ^[10]

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles schools administration told AFP that it is analyzing Google's announcement and its implications, while the city of New York is requesting additional information, mentioning that Gemini is already disabled on Chromebook devices and that the municipality has requested the disabling of AI summaries in search results. ^[10]

Google emphasized on X that the modifications offer 'more options, not fewer,' reiterating that 'schools hold control' and can decide on the activation of AI services as they see fit. The company announced the update of the search function for schools, trying to make it more useful in the learning process through AI Mode and AI Overviews modes, which will offer step-by-step guidance for solving problems, to avoid the superficial completion of assignments. ^[10]

Update

Google disables AI by default for K-12 students, giving control to schools

Google announced a change to the access policy for K-12 students, disabling by default its artificial intelligence tools, including Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom. This decision reverses a previous measure from August 2026, when the company had automatically activated Gemini in the Google Classroom application. Activation of these functions will require an explicit action by school administrators. ^[11]

The change also targets the Google search engine, whose integration with AI has become profound. Chris Phillips, the company's vice president for education, explained to The New York Times that in the current ecosystem, search and artificial intelligence are inseparable. As a result, schools opting for the complete ban on AI will lose students' access to Google Search, these targeting a message indicating the unavailability of the service. ^[11]

The new settings will be implemented globally, with operational commencement in the United States. Although no exact calendar has been established for entry into force, the company promised to provide specific technical details in the coming months, allowing educational institutions to prepare for the transition. ^[11]

The action triggers a series of prolonged controversies regarding the role of technology in education. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly accused the company on the X platform that it 'is trying to use its monopoly power to impose artificial intelligence in our public schools,' qualifying the measure as coercive and a form of extortion. ^[11]

Google is a dominant provider in the American education system, with omnipresent applications such as Gmail, Docs, and Classroom, and Chromebooks being the most widespread devices. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley have already requested explanations regarding the default activation, involving over 150 million users of the platform. An open letter addressed in October to 150 school districts requested the deactivation of Gemini, arguing the risks for children's safety. ^[11]

Concerns led authorities in New York and Los Angeles to announce, in September, plans to restrict access to AI on school devices. In New York, Gemini is already disabled on students' Chromebooks, and the municipality has requested the deactivation of AI-generated summaries in search results. Los Angeles analyzes the implications, respecting its own 'Emerging Technologies' framework. Harvard expert Ying Xu warns that this policy may widen inequalities, wealthy districts having the advantage of managing decisions better. ^[11]

Google retreated to accusations, stating that it offers 'more options, not fewer' and emphasizing that schools hold control. The company also announced the update of AI Mode and AI Overviews functions in Search for schools. These will now offer a process of 'step-by-step guided learning,' intended to guide students through problem-solving, instead of giving them direct answers to homework. ^[11]

Update

Google will disable AI by default in schools, asking for administrator control

Google announced that it will disable by default artificial intelligence tools for K-12 student accounts, a decision taken in the context of growing criticism regarding the use of AI in classrooms. ^[12]

Google dominates the digital market in American schools, its applications being omnipresent, and Chromebooks, the cheapest, being the most widespread devices. ^[12]

Under the new rules, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search will be disabled by default for K-12 students, school administrators having the responsibility for their explicit activation. ^[12]

The announcement comes one month after the August decision to automatically activate Gemini, when Google made available to students an AI-based assistant, offering guided assistance and study cards. ^[12]

Google set a firm condition: if a school chooses to completely disable artificial intelligence functions, students will lose access to Google Search. ^[12]

Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education, explained to The New York Times that 'search and artificial intelligence are deeply integrated' in the current ecosystem, making the two inseparable. ^[12]

Phillips warned that in the case of a total school-level ban on AI, students 'will not have access to the search feature and will see a message from the school indicating that it is not available'. ^[12]

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused Google on the X platform that it 'is trying to use its monopoly power to force the introduction of artificial intelligence in our public schools'. ^[12]

Mamdani reaffirmed on X that 'no corporation should have the power to dictate how we educate our children'. ^[12]

More than 150 million students worldwide use the Google Classroom platform, a situation highlighted in an open letter sent by senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley. ^[12]

In August, Google automatically activated the Gemini assistant in the Google Classroom application, but the new cancellable settings reverse this move, requiring explicit activation. ^[12]

Upon activation, students received personalized prompts related to lessons, offering guided help, practical tests, and study cards built based on course materials. ^[12]

This functionality was activated by default for students at schools that had already permitted Gemini activation. ^[12]

New York and Los Angeles announced in September plans to restrict access to artificial intelligence instruments on school devices, a context that preceded Google's decision. ^[12]

The Los Angeles Unified School District stated that it is analyzing the implications of the announcement, emphasizing that emerging technologies can improve teaching if introduced with caution and with clear safety measures. ^[12]

The Los Angeles district spokesperson mentioned frameworks of principles guaranteeing that technology supports, rather than replaces, educators, protects student privacy, and is implemented transparently. ^[12]

New York City Council (NYCPS) is seeking more details, indicating that the Gemini assistant and AI mode are already disabled on Chromebooks used by students. ^[12]

NYCPS also requested that Google disable 'AI Overview' sections displayed in Google search results for students. ^[12]

In a statement on X, Google declared that the changes on Tuesday offer 'schools more freedom of choice, not less'. ^[12]

The company emphasized that there are concerns regarding the use of AI to avoid schoolwork, and schools have asked for more control over the use of services. ^[12]

Update

Psychic injury caused by AI, sued by a school, leads to lawsuit in North Carolina

Parents in North Carolina filed a lawsuit against Google, after their 13-year-old daughter went through several months discussing suicidal thoughts with the company's artificial intelligence tools, on a Chromebook issued by the school. This highlights the potential risks of technology in a context where parents and educators continue to debate the role of AI in education. ^[13]

The file, filed in a state court in California, states that the teenager exchanged thousands of messages with Google's flagship AI model, Gemini, many containing details about anxiety, depression, and methods to commit suicide. The complaint specifies that, until the time the school notified the parents, she had been communicating with Google about such subjects for months, frequently using a feature from Google Search known as AI Mode. The complaint argues that as Google incorporates AI into its products destined for schools, the company exposes students to dangerous technology, without warning parents and administrators in an adequate manner. ^[13]