Google will turn off its search engine for schools by default. Is it an AI ‘ultimatum’? - K-12 Dive
By Google News AI ·
The tech giant’s recent announcement comes as schools are pushing for more autonomy over what artificial intelligence tools students can use.
Google sent shockwaves through school communities nationwide Tuesday with an announcement that it would turn off Google Search and two of its other artificial intelligence features for all “K-12 student accounts” by default.
School administrators can, however, opt to turn Google Search, Gemini, Gemini in Classrooms or Gemini Notebook on for students at any time.
The tech giant said in a Tuesday post on X that the change is happening because schools are “asking for more control over student use of AI services.”
“We know there’s concern about students using AI to shortcut schoolwork, and schools have told us they want control,” Google said on X. “That’s exactly why we are making these changes today to address the feedback we’ve heard from educators in recent months.”
The Google Search feature in recent years has presented a tough challenge for some district leaders who have wanted to turn off the search engine’s AI capabilities, particularly for their youngest students. And critics of Google’s decision say the latest move puts schools in a difficult position: Either students can use Google Search with its AI feature or not at all.
Rich Calkins, superintendent of Pocantico Hills Central School District in New York, expressed skepticism over the Google announcement. Pocantico Hills CSD is waiting to see how Google will officially roll out this decision, Calkins said. Regardless, he added, the online safety and well-being of the district’s students is his main priority.
“I personally am very suspect of any sort of corporation, entity, or group that attempts to hold school districts hostage by illustrating to them that they do…
Originally published by Google News AI
