{
  "id": 18171692,
  "title": "DuckDuckGo pitches itself to schools amid backlash over Google’s AI policy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/duckduckgo-pitches-itself-to-schools-amid-backlash-over-googles-ai",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-04T19:29:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/04/duckduckgo-pitches-itself-to-schools-amid-backlash-over-googles-ai-policy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DuckDuckGo is seizing an opportunity to gain traction in the education sector after Google introduced a policy that enables schools to disable its AI features. Although Google allows schools to turn off Gemini, shutting down other AI functionalities would result in losing access to Google Search, a platform widely utilized by students, educators, and Chromebook users. With over 50 million Chromebooks in use by schools globally, Google Classroom serves more than 150 million users worldwide. Gabriel Weinberg, DuckDuckGo's founder and CEO, highlighted the company's online documentation, offering guidance on switching the default search engine to DuckDuckGo. Kamyl Bazbaz, the chief public affairs officer, strongly criticized Google's approach, emphasizing that forcing AI on school children is a monopolistic behavior. DuckDuckGo responded to Google's decision, contending that schools could easily turn off AI features if they desired. The controversy arises as the American public considers the extent of AI they are willing to accept in their lives. While they oppose AI data centers in their communities, AI technology is increasingly integrated into education and professional environments. Google developed \"Guided Learning\" to assist students in learning problem-solving steps rather than providing direct answers. However, educators continue to demand tools that enable them to eliminate AI from the learning process. In response to the backlash, Google defended its decision, stating that Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search would be disabled by default, with schools having the option to enable them individually. Despite being anti-AI, DuckDuckGo provides its own AI features, such as Duck.ai and an AI search assistant, and offers users the ability to disable these features in search and browser settings. Its website, noai.duckduckgo.com, further eliminates AI-assisted answers, images, and feature suggestions. The company's app installations have increased by 30% as users reject being forced to use Google's AI Search.",
  "summary": "DuckDuckGo is courting schools frustrated by Google's AI restrictions, pointing educators to its search engine and options to disable AI features.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/google-extends-voluntary-buyout-offers-to-employees-in-several-18100617",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:38:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries amid heavy AI spending",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/google-extends-voluntary-buyout-offers-to-employees-in-several",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:56:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/google-extends-voluntary-buyout-offers-to-employees-in-several-18098875",
        "published": "2026-11-04T09:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/google-extends-voluntary-buyout-offers-to-employees-in-several-18101656",
        "published": "2026-11-04T09:32:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "Google says it expanded voluntary exit buyouts in June to employees across Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland to manage costs amid huge AI spending (Reuters)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/google-says-it-expanded-voluntary-exit-buyouts-in-june-to-employees",
        "published": "2026-11-04T11:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}