Google turns off AI for schoolchildren by default

Google announces it will disable AI tools for students by default in a bid to address concerns over the technology's integration in classrooms. The tech giant's AI features, including Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search, will remain turned off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators enable them.

Google's vice president for education, Chris Phillips, explained that AI features are deeply embedded in the company's search engine, and if schools ban AI, students will lose access to search functionality. Critics, such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, argue that Google's monopoly power should not dictate how public schools teach students.

Over 150 million students worldwide use Google Classroom, and in August, the company opened its Gemini chatbot to students of all ages, offering guided help or study guides. Several US school districts, including New York and Los Angeles, have announced plans to restrict access to AI tools on school devices, emphasizing the need for careful implementation and safeguards to protect student privacy.

Google maintains that the new controls provide schools with more choice, addressing concerns about students using AI to bypass schoolwork.