Google Cuts Search in Schools That Disable AI

In K-12 student accounts, Google plans to disable Google Search if schools turn off its AI features. This rule comes with a list of affected services and tests, announced for this month in the United States, for a step-by-step assistance mode.

Lawmakers questioned Google last month amid concerns

Last month, lawmakers questioned Google about the potential dangers associated with integrating its AI products in schools. The introduction of these tools has raised doubts, as reports indicate a decline in test scores and other effects on students' learning capabilities. Google Classroom, used by over 150 million teachers and students worldwide, had the AI assistant Gemini enabled by default a few months ago. Now, Google no longer keeps these AI features active by default in schools.

Search disabled if AI is turned off: the rule announced by Google

Google plans to completely disable Google Search in schools that reject its AI features. For K-12 student accounts, access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search will be cut off unless administrators explicitly enable them. Administrators cannot disable only the features relying on Gemini without cutting off access to search. According to Chris Phillips, Vice President of Education at Google, search and AI are closely linked. He specifies that institutions that disable AI features will not have access to search and will see a message from their school indicating that this service is unavailable. This rule was shared in an education-related update from Google.

Guided Learning arrives in AI Overviews, testing this month in the United States

To address concerns regarding students using its AI features to find shortcuts, Google is highlighting Guided Learning, a feature designed to help solve problems. This functionality is being integrated into the AI Overviews of search. Google will begin testing Guided Learning in certain U.S. schools this month.