Google has announced plans to disable its artificial intelligence tools by default for primary and secondary school students, giving school administrators the responsibility to decide whether learners should have access to the technology.
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Under the new policy, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and AI features in Google Search will be switched off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly activate them.
The changes are expected to be introduced worldwide, beginning in the United States, although Google has yet to announce a specific implementation date.
The decision follows growing criticism from educators, parents and policymakers over the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into classrooms, particularly concerns that students could rely on AI to complete assignments without developing independent thinking and problem-solving skills.
Google’s Vice President for Education, Chris Phillips, explained that the company’s search engine and artificial intelligence features had become deeply integrated. Consequently, schools that choose to disable AI entirely will also lose access to Google Search for their students.
The announcement has raised concerns among education stakeholders who believe schools should be able to restrict AI tools without losing access to conventional internet search services.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticised the company’s approach, accusing it of using its dominant position in the technology market to push artificial intelligence into public schools.
He maintained that no private corporation should have the power to determine how children are taught.
Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan also criticised the move, arguing that Google’s control of an essential search service could put schools under pressure to accept AI features they might otherwise reject.
The policy comes after Google introduced its Gemini chatbot to students of all ages through Google Classroom in August. The feature provides students with guided assistance, study materials, practice quizzes, and flashcards generated from their classroom content.
The tools were initially enabled by default for students in schools that had already activated Gemini, prompting concerns about the extent of students’ exposure to artificial intelligence.
According to figures cited by US lawmakers, more than 150 million students worldwide use Google Classroom, highlighting the company’s significant influence on digital learning.
In September, education authorities in New York and Los Angeles announced plans to restrict students’ access to AI tools on school devices.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District said the district was reviewing Google’s announcement and its implications for schools, teachers and learners. The district maintained that artificial intelligence could improve education if introduced with appropriate safeguards, while technology should support rather than replace teachers.
Responding to the criticism, Google said the changes were intended to give schools greater control over how artificial intelligence is used in classrooms.
The development reflects the growing debate over the role of artificial intelligence in education, as schools seek to balance the benefits of emerging technologies with concerns about academic integrity, students’ critical thinking abilities and responsible technology use.
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