Google to turn off AI tools for K-12 students unless schools opt in
Overview
Google says it will disable its AI tools for K-12 student accounts next year unless school administrators enable them.
The covered tools are Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search, and administrators cannot pick individual tools. Google education vice president Chris Phillips told The New York Times that a school that restricts AI loses Search too, because AI features are now built into Search. The Verge reports that Google will test a Guided Learning feature in select US schools this month.
Phillips wrote in a blog post that Google will share more specifics with schools in the coming months, before the changes roll out.
Written by AI from the articles below · updated Nov 3, 1:28 PM ET
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Article timeline
The articles in this story. Times are ET.
- Ars Technica · AINewsGoogle lets schools opt out of AI tools, but only by losing Search
AIGoogle will opt schools using its education products out of AI tools by default, with administrators able to enable them manually in coming months. The AI tools covered are Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search, with no option to pick individual tools. Schools that block AI must therefore give up Search as well.
- The Verge · AINewsPickGoogle will turn off Search for K-12 schools that reject its AI features
AIGoogle says it will disable Search for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly enable Gemini and related AI features. Schools cannot turn off the AI features while keeping Search, according to Google education VP Chris Phillips. The change follows skepticism and lawmaker scrutiny over AI in schools, and Google will test a Guided Learning feature in some US schools this month.
- TechCrunch · AINewsGoogle will let schools disable its AI tools, but not Search AI features
AIGoogle says it will disable AI tools for K-12 students next year unless school administrators explicitly turn them on. Because AI features are now built into Google Search, schools that restrict AI altogether will also lose access to Search, Google's education vice president Chris Phillips told The New York Times.
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