Google lets schools block AI tools, but search goes with them

Google said on Tuesday that schools can decide whether their students use its artificial intelligence tools in class. But a school that blocks those tools will also lose access to Google Search, the company's core product.

Under the plan, AI tools will be switched off by default for schools that use Google's education products. Administrators will have to turn them on manually. The changes are due to roll out in the coming months. The company said it reached the approach after consulting educators, researchers and lawmakers.

The products covered by the change are Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search. Schools cannot pick and choose among them. They either allow all of the AI features or none of them.

Backlash from officials

Elected officials criticised the change after it was announced. Google responded that Search can be re-enabled alongside AI Overviews, the AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. That means a school that wants Search must also accept some AI features.

The company has not said how many schools use its education products or how many have chosen to block AI so far.

Background

Google has been trying to move beyond Chromebooks, the low-cost laptops that run its software. Their wide use in schools has made the company's education products a large presence in classrooms. The announcement pushes AI further into that setting.

What happens next

The rollout timing has been described only as "the coming months". Google has not said whether the search link can be separated from AI Overviews in future, and it is not known whether officials will press for changes.