Google disables Search for schools blocking its AI tools
Google announced Tuesday that K-12 student accounts will lose access to Search if administrators block the company's AI features.
Search and AI are linked
The company stated that Search and artificial intelligence are deeply integrated within its systems. Administrators cannot toggle Gemini-powered features off without also disabling the search function for students.
Students see unavailability notices
Schools rejecting these tools will display a message indicating that Search is not available to their accounts. This change affects access to Gemini Notebook and other classroom applications as well.
New controls for classrooms
Executives wrote in a blog post that product access remains off until school leaders explicitly turn them on. The update follows recent skepticism regarding the impact of generative AI on student learning abilities.
2 outlets, different leads
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The Verge
Google is entirely disabling Search in schools that don’t want AI
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The Guardian
Google says there’s no way to use Search without using artificial intelligence
Reported by
2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.