Google: Schools Can Continue Searching While Ignoring Gemini, But AI Search Is Non-Negotiable

Google faced the ire of educators and parents earlier this week when it announced a new AI policy for primary and secondary schools. Google said it developed its new approach to give schools more control, but early reports also suggested Google would block search access for schools that don’t want to use AI. Google didn’t see the backlash coming, but now that it’s here, the search giant is clarifying what exactly its new policy means and what’s changing.

The gist of the new policy, according to Google’s blog, is that schools using Google apps will now have to opt into its AI products. Since the company considers search part of its AI portfolio (Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search), schools should specifically enable it for connected student accounts.

When Google revealed its new policy, the company’s vice president of education spoke exclusively to The New York Times, which interpreted the situation as if Google would “turn off search” if schools rejected AI. This has a nefarious vibe, but it’s probably not the most accurate way to describe how Google’s educational AI system works. Google’s approach may not be entirely altruistic, but it technically gives schools more choice and control than they currently have. Instead of Google by disabling the search, this will allow schools make this decision based on their internal AI policies.

The company clarified in a tweet that it would allow schools to disable Gemini apps while leaving search active for students. If they don’t want AI, they can leave it all alone. Essentially, Google is giving schools that want to completely block AI the option to go all the way, even going so far as to remove search from student accounts.

A Google spokesperson told Ars that the company has not made any changes to the new policy announced this week. However, the vagueness of Google’s blog post and public statements doesn’t fully explain what it plans to do. There are still reasons to dislike Google’s approach, but here’s how the company explains the process for schools: