From Ars Technica · · 1m 30s
Google ties search to AI in schools, forcing a hard choice
Google will let schools disable AI tools, but only by giving up Google Search entirely. Schools must choose between accepting AI or losing search.
In brief
Google will let schools disable AI tools, but only by giving up Google Search entirely. Schools must choose between accepting AI or losing search. Google is bundling AI tools with search in schools, forcing educators to either accept AI exposure or abandon Google Search entirely. Originally reported by Ars Technica.
Google offers schools an AI choice
Google says schools using its education products will be opted out of AI tools by default. Administrators can manually enable them when changes roll out in coming months.
But there's a catch: search is bundled with AI
Google considers AI tools to include Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search. Schools cannot pick and choose; they must allow all AI or none of it.
Disabling AI means losing search entirely
Google education VP Chris Phillips said if schools choose not to enable AI, students will not have access to search and will see a message indicating it is not available.
“Search and AI are deeply integrated”
Google offers two versions of AI search
When schools enable AI, they can choose standard Gemini-based AI or new Guided Learning, which provides tutoring without giving away answers. Google notes all generative AI products can make mistakes.
Schools face pressure to accept Google's terms
Google is betting schools will not want to give up Google Search and will therefore accept AI tools. Schools could switch to alternatives like DuckDuckGo, which lets you disable AI features.
The bottom line
Google is bundling AI tools with search in schools, forcing educators to either accept AI exposure or abandon Google Search entirely.
