Google will switch off AI tools for K-12 schools by default, but schools that keep them off also lose Google Search

What happened

Google has announced a new approach to artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms, Ars Technica reported. Schools that use Google's education products will be opted out of its AI tools by default. School administrators will have to turn the tools on manually once the changes roll out in the coming months.

According to Ars Technica, Google reached the decision after consulting with educators, researchers and lawmakers. The catch is in how Google defines an AI tool. The company includes its search engine in that group, so a school that leaves AI off will also leave students without Google Search.

Which products are affected

Ars Technica reported that the change covers four products. Schools cannot select some and skip others. They either allow all of the AI products or none of them.

• Gemini
• Gemini Notebook
• Gemini in Classroom
• Google Search

Why search is on the list

Ars Technica said the bundling matches how Google handles search for the general public. Google executives have said that Google Search is AI search. Most searches now show an AI Overview at the top of the results, and the company keeps finding new ways to steer users toward its conversational AI Mode chatbot, the outlet reported.

How Google explains the decision

In a statement to The New York Times, cited by Ars Technica, Google education vice president Chris Phillips said, "Search and AI are deeply integrated." He added that if a school does not enable AI, students "will not have access to search, and they'll see a message from their school that indicates it's not available."

Ars Technica noted that Google could build a version of search for schools without AI tools but is not doing that. The outlet wrote that Google is betting schools will not want to give up search and will therefore accept the AI tools along with it.

What schools can choose

For schools that do enable AI on student accounts, Google is creating two different versions of AI in search, according to Ars Technica. Schools that turn AI on will have to choose between them.

Standard Gemini AI

The first option is the standard Gemini-based AI, Ars Technica reported. The outlet did not report any school-specific changes to this version.

Guided Learning

The second option is a new version called Guided Learning, available in Classroom and in search. Ars Technica reported that it is meant to provide one-on-one tutoring and help without handing students the answers. Google notes that all of its generative AI products can make "mistakes," and the outlet suggested students may still be able to get the chatbot to do their homework.

Alternatives outside Google

Schools that object to Google's approach could switch to other search engines, Ars Technica reported. The outlet pointed to DuckDuckGo, which lets users disable its AI features. The outlet also said the policy will expose students to AI early and often, which could change the way they interact with technology.

For more coverage of technology and education, see our AI and tech section and our schools coverage.

What to watch next

• The default opt-out and the new AI settings are set to roll out to schools using Google education products in the coming months, according to Ars Technica.
• School administrators will have to decide whether to enable the full set of AI tools, including Google Search, or leave all of them off.
• Schools that enable AI will choose between the standard Gemini-based version and the new Guided Learning version.
• Ars Technica raised the open question of whether Guided Learning will be enough to ease schools' concerns.