Google is clarifying new artificial intelligence policies for K–12 schools after educators and parents objected to reports that schools might lose access to Search if they chose not to use Google’s AI tools. The company says schools using Google apps will be able to choose which AI products students can access, including whether logged-in student accounts can use Search.
Schools will have to opt in to Google’s AI products
According to a Google blog post, the central change is that schools using Google apps will now have to opt in to the company’s AI products. Google considers Search part of its AI portfolio, alongside Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom. As a result, schools will need to specifically enable Search for logged-in student accounts.
When Google announced the policy, the company’s vice president of education spoke exclusively to the New York Times. Google described the situation as “turning off search” when a school rejected AI, a characterization that prompted concern among educators and parents. However, that description may not fully capture how Google’s education AI system works.
Google’s approach may still draw criticism, but the company says it gives schools more choice and control than they currently have. Rather than automatically turning off Search, the policy allows each school to make decisions based on its internal AI policies.
Schools can disable Gemini while keeping Search
In a post on X, Google said schools will be able to disable the Gemini app while keeping Search enabled for students. Schools that do not want students to use AI can turn off Google’s AI products altogether. The policy also gives schools that want to block AI completely the option to remove Search from student accounts.
A Google spokesperson told Ars that the company has not changed the policy announced earlier this week. However, the company’s blog posts and public statements did not clearly explain what it planned to do, contributing to the backlash.
There are still reasons to object to Google’s approach, but the company says its policy is intended to give schools control over access to Search, Gemini, and its other education-focused AI tools.
Source: arstechnica.com