Google says students in schools that ban AI won't have access to Search

Google announced that it will turn off access to Search, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly enable each product. This reverses a summer change that enabled AI features by default, which drew backlash from educators. Google's VP and GM for education, Chris Phillips, told The New York Times that "Search and AI are deeply integrated," so if a school bans AI tools, students "will not have access to Search" and will see a message indicating it's unavailable. The updated controls will roll out in the coming months, and administrators can enable products individually. The policy affects schools that have restricted generative AI, such as New York City and Los Angeles public schools, which enacted moratoriums or bans. For districts that allow AI, Google offers Guided Learning, a tool that provides step-by-step explanations and interactive features instead of direct answers, now available globally in Classroom and being added to Search in student accounts. Google will test this in select US schools starting this month.

(Source：Engadget)