Google has decided to disable AI tools, including AI chatbots, on student accounts. While schools can turn back on the features they want, the lack of an option regarding AI features within the Google Search engine is raising controversy over ‘forced AI’.
On the 3rd (local time), Google announced via its official blog that the Gemini chatbot, Gemini Notebook, and Gemini in Classroom features will be blocked on K-12 (elementary, middle, and high school) student accounts. The policy leaves the authority to selectively activate necessary AI tools to school administrators. Previously, AI features like Gemini were automatically enabled in schools using Google Classroom.
This measure comes amid a spreading ‘AI ban’ movement in the United States. New York City, the nation’s largest school district, banned AI use in public elementary and middle school classrooms for one year starting this semester. The Los Angeles Unified School District also prohibits generative AI on district-provided digital devices. Last month, U.S. senators sent a letter to Google demanding explanations regarding how AI is used in schools and its potential risks.
The problem is that AI features are embedded directly into Google Search. Using Google Search brings up the ‘AI Overviews’ summary feature and the ‘AI mode’ chatbot alongside search results. This means that if schools want to prevent students from seeing AI answers, they ultimately have to abandon Google Search entirely. The New York Times (NYT) reported that schools completely restricting AI access will also lose access to Google Search.
Critics argue that Google is effectively forcing the adoption of AI. Zohran Mamdani, a member of the New York City leadership, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Google is trying to forcibly introduce AI into public schools by leveraging its monopolistic position. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), criticized on NBC News that instead of protecting privacy and ensuring the safety and utility of tools, access to the tools is simply being blocked.
As controversy grew, Google explained on X that the move was a response to requests from the education community for control over AI. Google also announced the application of a ‘guided learning’ feature to search. When students search for physics problem-solving or book report writing assignments, the system will not immediately provide answers, but instead guide them through step-by-step questions and explanations.
Controversy surrounding the scope of student AI usage is spreading across countries. Norway and France have prohibited generative AI use for elementary school students (ages 6β13) in principle, while allowing middle school students and older to use it conditionally under teacher supervision. In South Korea, provincial and city offices of education are releasing AI usage guidelines and countermeasures against over-reliance.
Nam-ki Park, professor emeritus at Gwangju National University of Education, stated that while concerns over ‘outsourcing of thought’ due to AI overreliance and indiscriminate AI use are growing in educational settings, a blanket ban on AI does not fit the times. He emphasized the importance of building realistic and concrete alternatives, such as student AI accounts with restricted educational functions and dedicated learning digital devices.
