Google to Disable Search and AI Tools for School Accounts by Default, Sparking Backlash
Google will disable Search, Gemini, and other AI services by default for K-12 student accounts starting early 2027, giving administrators control but limiting options for schools that avoid AI.
Google has announced a significant policy change that will affect how students access its services. Starting in early 2027, Google Search, along with its artificial intelligence tools such as Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom, will be disabled by default for school-managed K-12 student accounts. The move is part of Google's efforts to design responsible AI for learning, as outlined in a recent blog post.
Under the new policy, school administrators will have the ability to enable these services individually. However, schools that wish to avoid AI entirely will also lose access to Google Search, as the company does not offer a version of its search engine without integrated AI features for these accounts. This means students at schools that prohibit AI will see a message stating that the service is unavailable when attempting to use Google Search through their school accounts.
The decision has drawn criticism from some US politicians, including Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. They accuse Google of leveraging its dominant position in the search market to pressure schools into adopting AI. The backlash highlights growing concerns about the influence of major tech companies in education and the balance between innovation and control.
Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education, explained to The New York Times that Search and AI have become closely integrated, making it difficult to separate the two. As a result, the company is unable to provide a traditional search experience without AI capabilities for these accounts. The changes are expected to take effect in early 2027, giving schools time to prepare.
This policy shift underscores the increasing role of AI in education and the challenges of managing its use in schools. While Google aims to give administrators control over AI tools, the lack of a non-AI search option may force schools to make tough choices between embracing AI or losing access to essential search functionality.
