Google to Shut Off Search Engine for Schools Rejecting AI

In a statement released on Tuesday, Google announced that its Gemini AI tools will be shut off for K-12 school accounts belonging to institutions that do not explicitly opt in for its program. However, they will also block other Google tools for these schools, including Google’s search engine.

In the statement, written by Google Vice President Chris Phillips, the company announced this development alongside new tools to help students learn through AI for the schools that do opt in.

“We believe schools should have control over AI in their classrooms and in providing administrators with controls to help them manage their approach,” Phillips said. “After listening to schools, teachers, leading researchers, and policymakers, we are now updating our approach to controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search. Access to these products will be entirely off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly turn them on.”

This decision comes after heated debates regarding the use of AI by students and whether or not artificial intelligence can hinder the development and learning of young people.

In September, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board banned access to AI tools on all district-provided laptops and tablets, preventing around 378,000 students from accessing these tools.

Google’s new rule preventing schools from accessing its programs unless they consent to using its AI tools could be detrimental to institutions like those belonging to the LAUSD. It is no secret that Google Search is the most used search engine in the U.S., but other programs like Google Docs and Gmail are heavily used by students and educators alike. Furthermore, Google Chromebooks are the most bought laptops from schools across the country.

Although the LAUSD Board has not announced its course of action after Google’s move, it acknowledged the development.

“We are reviewing Google’s announcement and its potential implications for schools, educators, and students,” said an LAUSD spokesperson in a statement sent to Los Angeles. “Los Angeles Unified believes emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, have the potential to enhance teaching and learning when introduced thoughtfully, responsibly and with clear safeguards.”

Other public officials and advocates have been vocal about their opposition to the use of AI in classrooms. In September, the city of New York implemented a ban on AI for students below the 9^th grade, alongside other AI monitoring measures.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his opposition to Google’s move.

Others have also come out saying Google’s decision is “coercive” as it forces schools to adopt AI or else lose access to some of the most used programs in classrooms across the country. Lina Khan, former Commissioner of the United States Federal Trade Commission, expressed this sentiment in a social media post.

Although Google has not responded to a request for comment regarding criticisms, Phillips backed their decision in a comment made to The New York Times.

“Search and AI are deeply integrated,” Phillips told the Times. Adding that students in schools with a ban on AI “will not have access to search, and they’ll see a message from their school that indicates it’s not available.”

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