Google has announced a new artificial intelligence policy for K-12 schools, sparking anger among teachers and parents. Following initial reports claiming search would be blocked for schools refusing AI, the company clarifies what its setup actually entails.
- Schools using Google apps must now explicitly enable its AI products, including search.
- Schools can disable Gemini tools while keeping search active for students.
- Schools wanting no AI can disable everything, including search on student accounts.
- Each institution decides based on its own internal AI policy.
Choices Left to Each Institution
According to Google’s blog post, schools using the company’s apps will now have to explicitly enable its AI products. Google considers search to be part of its AI offering, alongside Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search. Institutions must therefore specifically activate these tools for signed-in student accounts.
During the announcement, Google’s vice president for education spoke exclusively to the New York Times. The newspaper interpreted the situation as meaning Google could “turn off search” if schools refused AI. However, Ars Technica believes this description is likely not the most accurate. According to them, Google’s approach is not entirely altruistic, but it technically offers schools more choice and control than before.
Search Maintained or Removed
Google clarified in a post on X that it would allow schools to disable Gemini applications while keeping search active for students. Institutions that want no AI at all can disable everything, including search on student accounts.
A Google spokesperson told Ars Technica that the company has made no changes to the announced policy. However, the vagueness of the blog post and public statements did not fully explain what the company intended to do. Ars Technica notes there are still reasons to dislike Google’s approach, before detailing how the company describes the process for schools. According to this operation, the decision is up to each institution, based on its internal AI policy.
