Google school AI tools and search access
Google will turn off Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom and Search for K-12 student accounts unless school administrators opt in. The company is rolling out the controls in coming months while critics and DuckDuckGo respond.
IllustrationThe story so far
On November 3, Google said it will turn off Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom and Search for K-12 student accounts unless school administrators explicitly enable them. The company said Search and AI are integrated, so schools that reject AI features will lose access to Search. Google is rolling out the controls in coming months and launching Guided Learning in Classroom.
The next day, Google defended the policy after the New York Times reported it would turn off search for schools that reject AI. Google said the policy gives schools choice, with Gemini, Gemini Notebook and search off by default, and that AI Mode and AI Overviews will offer guided learning. Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the policy, but Google did not directly answer the search claim. DuckDuckGo pitched schools and said Google could easily turn off Search's AI features for schools if it wanted.
Latest updates
3 updates · newest first- 4 NovNew development
DuckDuckGo pitches schools after Google AI search fight
DuckDuckGo is pitching itself to schools after Google said student search access would be tied to AI tools. The company's CEO pointed to documentation for switching a school's default search engine to DuckDuckGo, and its chief public affairs officer said the move shows how a monopolist behaves. DuckDuckGo said Google could easily turn off Search's AI features for schools if it wanted.
TechCrunch ↗
- 4 NovOfficial statement
Google defends school AI policy after backlash over search access
Google defended its Guided Learning school AI policy after the New York Times reported it would turn off search for schools that reject AI. Google said its new policy gives schools choice, with Gemini, Gemini Notebook and search off by default, and that AI Mode and AI Overviews will offer guided learning. Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the policy, but Google did not directly answer the search claim.
CNBC ↗
GSMArena ↗
TechRadar ↗
Neowin ↗
- 3 NovNew development
Google will disable school AI tools unless admins opt in
Google will turn off Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom and Search for K-12 student accounts unless school administrators explicitly enable them. Because Search and AI are integrated, schools that reject AI features will lose access to Search. Google is rolling out the controls in coming months and launching Guided Learning in Classroom.
The Verge ↗
Engadget ↗