Google announced it will stop automatically activating its artificial intelligence tools for school students after facing criticism for providing these features while schools are still exploring how to integrate the technology into classrooms.
US schools widely use Google applications, including Gmail, Docs, and the Classroom platform, and the tech giant's low-cost Chromebook laptops are the standard in most US schools.
Under the changes announced by Google on Tuesday, the Gemini AI model, as well as Gemini within the Notebook and Classroom apps, will be disabled for students from kindergarten through 12th grade until school administrators activate them.
The tech giant Google told AFP that the new rules will be rolled out globally, starting with the United States, though no date has been set.
However, schools will not be able to provide students with access to Google Search without its AI features.
Google's Vice President of Education, Chris Phillips, told The New York Times that "search and AI are deeply integrated," noting that AI features are already built into the company's search engine.
He added that if a school blocks the use of AI, "students will not be able to access the search engine, and they will receive a notification from their school that it is unavailable."
New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani accused Google on X.com of "trying to use its monopoly power to force the use of AI in our public schools."
He wrote, "No company should have the power to dictate how our children are educated."
More than 150 million students worldwide use Google Classroom, according to a letter sent to the company last month by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley, who questioned why the company was automatically running AI features on school computers.
Students were presented with introductory "commands" related to their classes and assignments, helping them study and complete their tasks, along with practice tests based on their coursework.
This feature was automatically activated for students in schools that had already implemented the Gemini system.
In September, New York and Los Angeles announced plans to restrict access to AI tools on school computers.
"We are reviewing Google's announcement and its potential implications for schools, teachers, and students," a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District told AFP.
The spokesperson added that the district believes AI can enhance teaching and learning if implemented carefully with clear safeguards, citing the district's principles that technology should support, not replace, teachers and protect student privacy.
In a statement on its X platform, Google said the changes implemented Tuesday give schools "more, not fewer, choices."
Google added, "We know there are concerns about students using AI to cut corners on homework, and schools have told us they want more control."
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