Google is clarifying its new artificial-intelligence policies for K–12 schools after the announcement triggered anger among educators and parents. Although early reports suggested that Google might block search for schools that declined to use its AI tools, the company now says schools using its applications will be able to choose which products students can access, including whether logged-in student accounts can use Search.
According to a Google blog post, schools using Google apps will now have to opt in to the company’s AI products. Google considers Search part of its AI portfolio alongside Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom, so schools will need to specifically enable Search for logged-in student accounts.
When Google announced the policy, the company’s vice president of education spoke exclusively to the New York Times. Google characterized the situation as “turning off search” when a school rejects AI. That description may sound more sweeping than the company’s actual process: Google’s approach gives schools more choice and control than they currently have, although there are still reasons to question the policy. Rather than Google automatically disabling Search, schools would make decisions based on their internal AI policies.
Google later clarified in a post on X that schools will be able to disable the Gemini app while keeping Search enabled for students. Schools that do not want students to use AI can turn off the AI products altogether. Google is also offering schools that want to block AI completely the option of removing Search from student accounts.
What Google says is changing
A Google spokesperson told Ars that the company has not made any changes to the new policy announced this week. However, the company’s blog posts and public statements were vague and did not fully explain its plans, contributing to the backlash. Google’s stated approach gives schools control over whether students can use Gemini, Search, both products, or neither, but the policy remains controversial.
Source: arstechnica.com
