Google revises school AI policy after criticism over search access restrictions
Google said it will give schools more choice over AI features in its search and Gemini services after backlash to a report that students could lose search access if schools banned AI.
Google announced it will allow schools to decide which of its AI-enabled services – Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Search – are available to K-12 student accounts, after a New York Times report sparked criticism. The report said the company would block search for students whose schools prohibited AI, prompting officials to accuse Google of leveraging its market power.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the move would let a corporation dictate how children are taught, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai raising similar concerns.
Google clarified on X that the new initiative, set to begin early next year, will keep the three services off by default but let schools enable any combination they choose. The company added that AI Mode and AI Overviews will provide step-by-step guided learning to prevent quick answers to homework.
The change follows a recent Common Sense Media assessment that rated Google Search’s AI functions as an “unacceptable risk” for children, citing instances where the tools gave confident but incorrect answers and failed to flag harmful content. Google said it has heard the concerns and will pilot the updated settings in select U.S. schools later this month.