Google updates search policy for US K-12 accounts to include AI
Google has announced that US school administrators must now manually enable search services for K-12 accounts, a change that forces schools to accept AI-integrated search tools or disable the search function entirely.
Google is shifting its policy regarding student accounts in the United States, requiring school administrators to take proactive steps to enable search functionality. Under the new guidelines, if a school chooses to allow students to use Google Search, they must also accept the inclusion of the company's generative AI features, such as AI-powered search summaries and guided learning tools.
The update comes as Google faces mounting pressure from educators and parents concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence in the classroom. Previously, the company faced criticism for automatically enabling AI features in Google Classroom, leading several major school districts, including New York City and Los Angeles, to implement strict prohibitions on generative AI tools.
Vice President of Google Education Chris Phillips confirmed that K-12 accounts will now have search, Gemini, and associated classroom AI features disabled by default. Administrators are effectively left with a binary choice: provide students with AI-assisted search tools or deactivate the search engine on school-managed accounts entirely.
To address educational concerns, Google plans to introduce a 'guided learning' mode within its search platform. This feature aims to assist students with homework by prompting them through problem-solving steps rather than providing direct answers, a move intended to support academic learning rather than replace it.