Google to switch off Gemini and Search for K-12 students by default

Google announced on its website that it is adding Guided Learning to Search and Google Classroom. The feature guides students through questions and concepts instead of providing an answer immediately.

Guided Learning is now available globally in Google Classroom. Teachers can assign activities based on class materials, while receiving information about areas where students may need more support.

Google will pilot Guided Learning in Search at select US schools later in November. For certain homework queries, Search will use prompts and step by step guidance to help students work through tasks such as physics problems and book reports.

The company is also changing access controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search. These products will be disabled for kindergarten through grade 12 student accounts unless a school administrator turns them on. Google will provide schools with more details before the controls take effect.

Schools that ban AI "will not have access to search," Chris Phillips, Google's vice president and general manager of education, told The New York Times, CBS News reports. Schools can turn on one, two or all three of Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Search.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused Google of "trying to use its monopoly power to force AI into our public schools." Former FTC chair Lina Khan said the move shows Google "remains unchastened," and American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten accused the company of putting its business interests ahead of education. Google declined to respond to Mamdani's remarks.