Google Disables AI Tools for School Students Amid Concerns

Google has decided to turn off its artificial intelligence tools by default for schoolchildren. This change comes after concerns about how AI should be used in classrooms. The announcement was made in a blog post on Tuesday.

The AI tools affected include Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and AI features in Google Search. These will be disabled for K-12 student accounts until school administrators choose to turn them back on. Google plans to roll out these new controls worldwide, starting in the United States, but has not provided a specific date for when this will happen.

With these changes, schools will not be able to offer Google Search without its AI features. Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president for education, explained that AI is now integrated into the search engine. If a school decides to ban AI, students will not be able to access search and will see a message indicating that it is unavailable.

This decision comes as many are worried about how AI is being introduced into education. Google is a major player in technology used in American schools, providing tools like Gmail, Docs, and its Classroom platform. Many schools also issue low-cost Chromebook laptops to students.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized Google on social media, saying the company is using its power to push AI into public schools. He argued that no corporation should control how children are taught.

More than 150 million students around the world use Google Classroom. Recently, some lawmakers questioned why AI features were set as the default on school devices. In August, Google launched its Gemini chatbot in Classroom, which offered students tailored prompts and study aids. However, this feature was automatically activated for students in schools that had already enabled it.

In September, both New York and Los Angeles announced plans to limit AI access on school devices. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District said they are reviewing Google’s announcement and its potential impact. They believe AI could enhance education if introduced carefully, while also ensuring it supports teachers and protects student privacy.

In response to the criticism, Google stated that the changes provide schools with more choices. The company acknowledged concerns about students using AI to avoid doing their schoolwork and said schools have requested more control over these tools.