Google says schools can skip Gemini and keep search, but search is tied to AI settings

Google announced a new artificial intelligence (AI) policy for K–12 schools in the United States this week, drawing criticism from educators and parents. The company says the aim is to give schools more control, but early reports suggested schools that didn't want AI would lose access to search. Google is now clarifying what the change actually means.

What the new rules say

According to Google's blog post, schools that use Google apps will now have to opt into its AI products. The company counts search as part of its AI portfolio, alongside Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Gemini in Classroom. As a result, schools must specifically turn search on for logged-in student accounts.

How it was interpreted

Google's vice president for education spoke exclusively to The New York Times about the policy, and the paper framed it as Google turning off search if schools reject AI. Ars Technica considers that not the most accurate description. The company said in a social media post that schools can disable Gemini apps while leaving search active for students. A school that wants no AI at all can leave everything off, including search on student accounts.

Questions remain

A Google spokesperson told Ars Technica that the company has made no changes to the policy it announced this week. At the same time, the vagueness of the blog post and public statements did not fully explain the company's plans. The publication notes that the approach technically gives schools more choice than they have now, though there are still reasons to criticize it.