Google Defends School AI Policy After Backlash Over Search

Google on Tuesday defended its school AI policy after criticism from politicians over reports that the company would restrict search for schools rejecting artificial intelligence. The company said Gemini, Gemini Notebook and search are turned off by default and that schools can choose which tools to enable.

Backlash over school search policy

In a blog post titled "Designing responsible AI for learning," Google said it is bringing AI into its Classroom offering with a product called Guided Learning. The New York Times published a story saying that the company will turn off search for schools that reject AI entirely. Following that story, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced outrage on social media. Mamdani wrote on X that "Google is trying to use its monopoly power to force AI into our public schools." Sanders wrote that "Google is threatening schools," referring to the policy as "extortion."

Google's response

In a post on X, Google said its new policy was meant to give schools more choice over how students interact with AI. The company said its Gemini chatbot, Gemini Notebook and search are turned off by default, and that "schools are in control," with the ability to turn them as they see fit. Google wrote that it is also updating Search for schools to make it better for learning, adding that "AI Mode and AI Overviews will offer step-by-step guided learning through problems, so that students don't get quick answers to schoolwork." The company's post did not explicitly respond to the claim that access to search requires use of AI. Chris Phillips, vice president for education at Google, told the Times that "Search and AI are deeply integrated." A Google spokesperson referred CNBC to the X post when asked for comment.

Broader scrutiny

Google's broader practices have come under fire in recent years, with the company losing antitrust cases over its search and advertising businesses. Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan said in a post on X on Tuesday that Google's new AI for learning policy highlights "the danger of allowing an unregulated monopolist to control an essential service." Other recent technology controversies involving children include Meta reaching a landmark $16.7 billion settlement in its child safety trial in August after state attorneys general accused the company of misrepresenting the extent of child mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram. The same month, OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens after state attorneys general launched an investigation into the company's safety practices, with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a Republican, filing a lawsuit in June. Common Sense Media recently gave Google's AI overviews an "unacceptable risk" rating. Last month, Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., launched an inquiry over Google's push of AI into classrooms. Google introduced AI overviews as a search function in May 2024.

Earlier coverage: Google სკოლებს AI-ზე უარის თქმის საშუალებას აძლევს, მაგრამ მხოლოდ ძიებაზე ხელის აღებით

Sources: CNBC · Techmeme · CNN · The New York Times