Google to cut Search for schools that switch off its AI tools

Google will shut off its Search service for schools that choose to block its artificial intelligence features, the company said on Tuesday. The move affects K-12 student accounts, which cover students from kindergarten through high school.

In an education update, Google said access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search "will be entirely off" for these accounts. Administrators must explicitly turn them on. Google's vice president of education, Chris Phillips, told The New York Times that Search and AI are "deeply integrated".

Why the two cannot be separated

School administrators will not be able to turn off Gemini-powered features while keeping Search. Phillips said that schools that disable the AI features will lose Search as well. The company described this as a consequence of how its products are built, not a separate policy choice.

The change reflects how closely Google now ties its search engine to its AI products. AI features have become part of the core search experience, so turning off one part affects the other.

What it means for schools

For schools that want to keep AI tools out of classrooms, the choice is now harder. Blocking Gemini means giving up Google Search for students. Schools that keep Search must accept the AI features that come with it, unless they accept the loss of the service.

Google has not said how many schools are affected or whether other education tools will change. It is also not clear how schools that already use Search will be notified or how quickly the change takes effect.