Google to block search for students if schools reject AI tools

Google announced Tuesday that it will disable search access for students at school districts that do not enable its artificial intelligence tools.

The company stated that access to Google Search and its AI features, including Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom, will be turned off for K-12 student accounts by default. Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president and general manager of education, explained in a blog post that administrators must explicitly turn these services on to restore access. Phillips wrote that the company believes schools should have control over AI in their classrooms and provided administrators with controls to manage their approach.

Google is the dominant provider of education technology in the United States. The company reports that 150 million students and teachers worldwide use its Google Classroom platform. Many of these students rely on school-provided Chromebook computers for their daily work. Until August, Google had only allowed its Gemini chatbot to be enabled for students aged 18 and older. In August, the company turned on the chatbot for many K-12 students, a move that sparked backlash from educators, child development experts, and parents. The new policy reverses the default setting, making AI opt-in rather than opt-out.

The announcement drew immediate criticism from educators and policymakers who view the change as a use of market dominance. Lina Khan, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, posted on social media that Google is using its search monopoly to coerce schools into adopting AI. Khan argued that an unregulated monopolist controlling an essential service poses a danger. She stated that Google is making clear it will punish schools that do not align with its AI strategy.

Major urban districts are currently assessing how to handle these tools. New York City and Los Angeles, which operate the nation’s largest school districts, have issued temporary bans on generative AI tools in elementary and middle schools. These districts are evaluating AI use and safety while developing their own policies. Josh Golin, executive director of the children’s advocacy group Fairplay, said Google’s attempt to pressure schools into using its AI products is likely to backfire. Golin argued that the technology is not primarily about learning but about developing lifetime brand loyalty.

Golin urged schools to take advantage of the new default setting to turn off both AI tools and Google Search entirely. He suggested using this opportunity to help students find more privacy-protective alternatives for search. Golin also recommended finding ways for students to do more substantive research beyond simple search and click methods. Google left messages seeking additional comment on Tuesday regarding the policy change.