Backlash Over Google's Plan to Cut Schools’ Search Access If They Block AI Tools
Parents and teachers across the US are criticizing Google’s new policy that could cut schools off from Search if they block its AI tools.
Across the United States, parents and educators are pushing back on a Google policy that could cut schools off from its search engine if they decline the company’s AI tools.
Google recently rolled out a set of AI features for classrooms, paired with settings that let teachers and administrators limit their use. While the company insists schools should decide how AI is handled, any that reject its AI products would forfeit Google Search as well.
Chris Phillips, who leads education at Google, said feedback from schools, teachers, researchers, and policymakers prompted changes to the controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search. For K-12 student accounts, these products will stay disabled until administrators choose to activate them.
Parents and teachers voiced fears that AI may erode students’ ability to think critically and that tech giants are gaining too much sway over schools. Some suggested switching to other search engines, whereas others maintained that students are better served by learning responsible AI use than by being barred from it.
