Google says schools that choose to block artificial intelligence tools entirely will also lose access to Google Search through school-managed student accounts. The policy is due to take effect as the company introduces new controls for its education software in early 2027.
According to The New York Times, AI features for K–12 students will be off by default, and administrators will need to turn them on. However, districts that decide not to allow AI will not be able to keep Search available on those managed accounts. Google education vice president Chris Phillips said the company sees Search and AI as closely connected; students in schools that ban the technology will see a school message indicating Search is unavailable.
Schools that enable AI will be able to choose between two Search experiences. One will include AI Overviews and conversational features. The other will offer Guided Learning, a version of Google’s Gemini chatbot designed to help students work through questions rather than simply give them answers. Google says teachers will be able to review student conversations with Guided Learning, which will have additional restrictions for education.
The announcement reverses an August change that automatically enabled AI features in Google Classroom at schools where students already had access to Gemini. That decision drew complaints from educators who wanted more control over how the tools were introduced.
The policy also means schools will not be able to retain Google Search while removing AI Overviews from results in their managed search experience. Morgan Polikoff, an education professor at the University of Southern California, criticized the approach as pressure to adopt AI. Josh Golin, executive director of child advocacy group Fairplay, urged schools to consider other search engines.
Sources: Dexerto.