By Fatma Younis
Google announced Tuesday that schools opting out of its artificial intelligence tools will lose access to Google Search for students, a move critics say leverages the company's dominance in education technology.
Policy change details
The change, outlined in a blog post by Chris Phillips, Google's vice president and general manager of education, means AI features including Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Gemini in Classroom, as well as Google Search, will be turned off by default for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly enable them.
Background and backlash
Google Classroom is used by 150 million students and teachers worldwide, and many students use school-provided Chromebooks. In August, Google faced backlash after enabling its Gemini chatbot for many K-12 students, previously limited to those 18 and older.
Critics warn of coercion
Former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan accused Google of using its search monopoly to coerce schools into adopting AI. Child advocacy group Fairplay executive director Josh Golin said the move aims to build lifetime brand loyalty and urged schools to turn off Google's AI tools and seek privacy-protective alternatives.
Districts respond with bans
New York City and Los Angeles, the nation's largest school districts, have issued temporary bans on generative AI tools in elementary and middle schools while they assess safety and develop policies.
