Google announced that K-12 schools that choose not to enable its AI tools next year will lose access to Google Search entirely, because the company says its AI features are now built into the search engine.
Google said on Tuesday that it plans to disable access to Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search for K-12 student accounts unless school administrators explicitly turn the tools on. Administrators will not be able to disable the Gemini-powered features while keeping Search, the company told The New York Times.
Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education, told The New York Times that “Search and AI are deeply integrated,” meaning students at schools that restrict AI altogether “will not have access to search, and they'll see a message from their school that indicates it's not available.”
The change follows consultations with schools, teachers, researchers and policymakers, Google said, and comes amid concerns that AI chatbots undermine learning by handing students direct answers. The company announced the move alongside the launch of Guided Learning, a tool unveiled earlier this year that sort of functions like an AI tutor and is designed to help users build a deep understanding rather than just get answers.
The change raises an issue for schools: teachers may not want students to use AI Overviews in research or assignments, but likely still want them to access Search for sources and learning materials. Given the dominance of Google's apps in schools and the widespread use of Chromebooks, the decision underscores the company's influence over the education sector.
"We'll share more specifics with schools in the coming months ahead of the changes rolling out so they have time to prepare and enable a smooth transition," Phillips wrote in a blog post. "Our goal is simple: provide school leaders the control and confidence to use AI products in classrooms as they see fit."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Schools are being forced to choose between access to Google Search, a basic research tool, and keeping AI features out of classrooms.
- The decision highlights how deeply Google's education products and Chromebooks are embedded in schools, giving the company significant influence over classroom technology.
- Administrators will need to decide within the coming months, before the changes roll out next year, how to balance AI restrictions against students' access to Search.
Background
Google is a dominant provider of classroom tools, and its search engine is widely used by students for research and learning materials. By integrating AI directly into Search, Google has made the two inseparable, meaning schools that reject its AI tools lose a core part of their existing toolkit.
What to Watch
- Google has promised to share more specifics with schools in the coming months before the changes take effect.
- Watch how many schools choose to keep AI tools off and whether any seek alternatives to Google Search.
- The rollout is scheduled for next year, leaving a window for schools to prepare and for further details to emerge.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedGoogle plans to make Search unavailable to schools that restrict AI altogether.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “The decision means that schools choosing to restrict AI altogether will no longer be able to access Google Search”
- Partly supportedK-12 accounts will lose access to Gemini features and Search unless administrators enable them.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “Google announced on Tuesday that it plans to disable AI tools for K-12 students next year unless school administrators explicitly turn them on.”
- Partly supportedGoogle announced that K-12 schools choosing not to enable its AI tools next year will lose Google Search entirely.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “Google announced on Tuesday that it plans to disable AI tools for K-12 students next year unless school administrators explicitly turn them on.”
- SupportedGoogle says AI features are now built into its search engine, which is why schools restricting AI would lose Search.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “The decision means that schools choosing to restrict AI altogether will no longer be able to access Google Search, as AI features are now integrated into the search engine.”
- SupportedOn Tuesday, Google said it plans to disable Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly turn them on.The Verge: “access to Gemini, Gemini NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search "will be entirely off" for K-12 student accounts unless "administrators explicitly turn them on."”
- SupportedAdministrators will not be able to disable Gemini-powered features while keeping Search.The Verge: “Administrators will not be given the option to toggle Gemini-powered features off without disabling Search, however.”
- SupportedChris Phillips told The New York Times, “Search and AI are deeply integrated.”AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “Chris Phillips, vice president for education at Google, told The New York Times that “Search and AI are deeply integrated,””
- SupportedPhillips said students at schools restricting AI “will not have access to search, and they'll see a message from their school that indicates it's not available.”AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “students “will not have access to search, and they’ll see a message from their school that indicates it’s not available.””
- SupportedThe change comes amid concerns that AI chatbots undermine learning by giving students direct answers.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “The launch comes amid concerns that AI chatbots undermine the learning process because they spit out direct answers.”
- SupportedGoogle announced the change alongside the launch of Guided Learning, a tool unveiled earlier this year.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: “Google announced the upcoming change alongside the launch of Guided Learning in schools. The tool, which was unveiled earlier this year”
- SupportedPhillips wrote, “We'll share more specifics with schools in the coming months ahead of the changes rolling out so they have time to prepare and enable a smooth transition,” in a blog post.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: ““We’ll share more specifics with schools in the coming months ahead of the changes rolling out so they have time to prepare and enable a smooth transition,” Phillips wrote in a blog post.”
- SupportedPhillips wrote, “Our goal is simple: provide school leaders the control and confidence to use AI products in classrooms as they see fit,” in a blog post.AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch: ““Our goal is simple: provide school leaders the control and confidence to use AI products in classrooms as they see fit.””
