Google clarifies schools can disable AI tools independently of Search access
Summary of 9 reports
Initial reports claimed Google would cut off Search access to schools rejecting AI tools, prompting backlash from officials. Google subsequently clarified that schools can independently toggle AI features and Search on or off, giving administrators individual control over each service. The company maintains these changes provide schools greater control, with features off by default.
Full coverage
Google will let schools disable its AI tools, but not without sacrificing Search (opens TechCrunch in a new tab)
Schools choosing to restrict AI altogether will no longer be able to access Google Search, as AI features are now integrated into the search engine.
Google will let schools skip AI tools, but they have to give up search, too (opens Ars Technica in a new tab)
Google will offer schools AI tools that purportedly don't give away the answers.
[UPDATE] Google is making schools choose between AI and access to its Search engine (opens Digital Trends in a new tab)
[UPDATE: Google has clarified that educators can choose to disable any of the AI products, independent of Google Search. Here is what the company shared in a post on X: Schools are in control: They can choose to turn ON one, two, or all of these services…
Google Is Forcing Schools to Choose Between Its Search Engine and AI (opens CNET in a new tab)
Experts weigh in on the promises and pitfalls of Google’s new policy, which leaves schools unable to use Search unless they opt into its AI tools.
Google responds to political backlash over removing search from schools that ban AI (opens CNBC in a new tab)
After elected officials voiced outrage over Google turning off search at schools that ban AI, the company said search can be turned back on with AI Overviews.
Google To Cut Off Search Access For Students At Schools That Reject AI (opens NDTV in a new tab)
Google said it is updating its search tools to make them "better for learning," including offering step-by-step guided learning through problems, so that students don't get quick answers to schoolwork."
Google hasn’t figured out how to make AI pay like its search engine (opens The Verge in a new tab)
Google Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler. | Bloomberg via Getty Images Search queries are growing at their fastest rate in five years, Google parent Alphabet said in its earnings report last week. However, Google's Search revenue growth slowed to 12…
Why NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is accusing Google of forcing AI into schools (opens Times of India in a new tab)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has accused Google of using its monopoly power to force AI into public schools. His criticism follows a New York Times report that K-12 students at schools blocking Google’s AI tools will also lose access to Google Search.…
Google faces backlash for plan that would turn off Search for schools that restrict AI (opens TechCrunch in a new tab)
Politicians on the left, like NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani and former FTC chair Lina Khan, accused Google of acting as an unregulated monopoly.
DuckDuckGo pitches itself to schools amid backlash over Google’s AI policy (opens TechCrunch in a new tab)
DuckDuckGo is courting schools frustrated by Google's AI restrictions, pointing educators to its search engine and options to disable AI features.
Google faces claims student used AI chat on US school laptop to plan suicide attempt (opens CNA in a new tab)
Google: Schools can keep search while skipping Gemini, but AI search is non-negotiable (opens Ars Technica in a new tab)
Google is technically offering schools more choice but not the choices anyone wants.
