Photo: IMEN BEN YOUSSEF / AFP / Getty Images
Google announced on Tuesday that its AI products, including the Gemini chatbot, will be turned off by default for K-12 schools using its education software. Schools that wish to use these AI tools will need to enable them manually. This decision follows criticism from advocacy groups and lawmakers about the widespread availability of Google’s AI services in classrooms. Until now, these services were automatically activated for schools using Google Classroom, as reported by NBC News.
Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president and general manager of education, stated in a blog post that access to AI tools like Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Google Search will remain off until school administrators choose to activate them. "We believe schools should have control over AI in their classrooms," Phillips wrote. However, schools opting out of AI will also lose access to Google Search, which now includes AI features like AI-generated summaries.
The policy change has sparked backlash, with some education and technology advocates criticizing Google for prioritizing business interests over education. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, expressed disappointment, saying Google is "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" by restricting access to its tools. Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, accused Google of trying to "strong-arm schools into using its AI products."
Google responded to the criticism by stating that its policy provides schools with more choices. Schools can enable Google Search without turning on other Gemini products, but the search function will still include AI features. The company emphasized that AI Mode and AI Overviews will guide students through problems instead of providing quick answers, according to CNN.
The decision comes amid growing concerns about AI's impact on education. Many school districts, including those in New York City and Los Angeles, have banned generative AI tools due to fears they could hinder learning and pose safety risks. Google’s new policy aims to address these concerns by giving educators more control over AI tools in classrooms, as noted by CNBC.