Google to Switch Off AI Tools for K-12 Students by Default, Making Search Access Conditional on AI

Google announced on Tuesday that it will disable AI tools for K-12 students next year unless school administrators explicitly enable them, a change the company said follows consultations with schools, teachers, researchers and policymakers. The revised approach covers Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search.

Because AI features are now built into Google Search, schools that restrict AI entirely will also lose access to the search engine. Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president for education, told The New York Times that search and AI are deeply integrated, and that students at schools blocking AI would instead see a message from their school saying the service is unavailable.

The move presents a dilemma for educators who may want students to find sources and learning materials through Google Search without relying on AI Overviews for research or assignments. Given the dominance of Google’s apps and Chromebooks in classrooms, the decision highlights the company’s influence over education.

In a blog post, Phillips said Google would share more details with schools in the coming months to allow a smooth transition, adding that the goal is to give school leaders control over how AI is used in classrooms.

Google also brought its Guided Learning tool to schools, an AI tutor-style feature designed to build deeper understanding rather than simply supply answers.