Students At Schools That Reject AI Will Not Have Google Search Access

The company has now announced that practice would no longer be the default option for school administrators.

Google announced it will cut off search access for students at schools that reject AI.

Students using Google software in the classroom will not be allowed to access the tech giant’s search engine unless their school system opts in to using artificial intelligence.

The company has been facing backlash from educators, child development experts and parents over the use of its technology in schools. That’s especially since Google announced it had turned on its Gemini chatbot for K-12 students who use Google Classroom.

The company has now announced that practice would no longer be the default option for school administrators. Instead, students will be able to individually turn each Google tool on or off. That includes Gemini, Gemini Notebook and search.

Schools that opt out of AI altogether would lose access to Google search. Google is the dominant provider of education technology for U.S. schools. The company says 150 million students and teachers globally use its Google Classroom platform, and many students use school-provided Chromebook computers.