Google Links K-12 Search Access to AI Tool Adoption

Google will disable artificial intelligence features in its educational apps for K-12 student accounts unless school administrators actively choose to turn them on. The company announced the change on Tuesday. It stated the move allows institutions to manage how students use AI.

The policy includes a direct link between AI adoption and search availability. Schools that decline to activate AI tools in apps like Classroom and Notebook will also lose access to Google Search. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for Education, told The New York Times that AI capabilities are now deeply integrated into the search product. He explained that a school banning AI use will see a message indicating search is not available.

Google cited surveys of school administrators and teachers as the reason for the shift. A blog post from the company said it believes schools should have control over AI in classrooms. The company provided administrators with controls to help them manage their approach.

The announcement drew immediate criticism from public officials. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted a statement on social media accusing Google of using monopoly power to force AI into public schools. Mamdani wrote, "No corporation should have the power to dictate how we teach our children." He added, "Our public schools exist to serve students, not to grow the profit margins of Big Tech."

New York City schools had previously moved to restrict AI. In September, the district announced a ban on AI and imposed a one-year delay on generative AI use for students in grades 2-K through eighth grade. The policy affects nearly 600,000 students, which is about two-thirds of the system's total enrollment. It covers all software with student-facing generative AI, including companion chatbots.

Lina Khan, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, also responded. She now chairs the board of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Khan said in a statement on X that Google is seeking to exploit its dominance in internet search. She wrote, "This highlights the danger of allowing an unregulated monopolist to control an essential service." Khan noted that multiple courts have found Google liable for violating antitrust laws. She concluded, "As the public increasingly pushes back against the use of AI in schools, Google is making clear it will punish those who don't fall in line."

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CBS News regarding the announcement.