
According to Google, schools that reject artificial intelligence in their rooms will lose access to the search function
AI-generated summary
In August, Google released its AI chatbot Gemini to many students in the US who use Google Classroom. Previously, activation of Gemini was only permitted for people aged 18 and over. Google is the dominant provider of educational software in US schools; 150 million students and teachers worldwide use Google Classroom.
Google is tightening its thumbscrews on US schools. If an institution prohibits the use of artificial intelligence on its premises, the company wants to block students' access to Google searches in the future. Access to the search function is only possible if the school expressly decides to use artificial intelligence. The technology giant announced this on Tuesday.
More and more educators, child development experts and parents are critical of students using the latest Google tools in class. The skepticism has only increased since the company announced in August that it had released its AI chatbot "Gemini" to many students in the US who use the teaching platform Google Classroom.
On Tuesday, the company said school administrators would no longer have Google's AI features automatically enabled. Instead, schools would be able to enable or disable each Google tool individually, including the AI assistant Gemini, Gemini Notebook and search. Each tool is disabled by default until administrators turn it on. However, since search is integrated into AI, schools that decide completely against AI will also lose access to Google search.
Google promises learner-friendly answers
"We believe that schools should have control over AI in their classrooms and that we need to provide school administrators with controls to help them shape their approach," wrote Chris Phillips in a blog post. As Vice President, he leads the education division at Google.
The company also said it is updating its search tools to make them more “learner-friendly.” Among other things, students should not receive quick answers to their school assignments. However, it is not possible to completely deactivate the AI if schools want to use Google products.
Google is the dominant provider of educational software in US schools. According to the company, 150 million students and teachers worldwide use the Google Classroom platform. Many students also use Chromebooks provided by their school.
Criticism of “forced AI”
In August, Google came under fire when it made its chatbot “Gemini” available to younger students. Until then, Google had only allowed Gemini to be activated by people aged 18 and over.
Educators and political decision-makers criticized Tuesday's announcement. “Google is using its search monopoly to force schools to adopt AI,” wrote Lina Khan, former chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, on X.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
US school administrators will vote on enabling Google AI tools
Likely · Within weeks
Regulators could examine Google's actions
Possible · Within months

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