Google Will Switch Off Gemini and Search for K-12 Students Unless Schools Opt In

Google is changing its school controls so that Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search are entirely off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly turn them on, the company announced on November 3.

Search is bundled with the AI tools. Because Google Search is part of the same opt-in, schools that choose not to enable Google's AI products for students also leave Search switched off for those accounts. Google says it will share specifics with schools in the coming months, before the change rolls out.

Guided Learning comes to Search and Classroom. Google is also adding Guided Learning, which walks students through problems step by step instead of giving direct answers. It is available globally in Google Classroom starting today, and a Search pilot begins in select U.S. schools later this month.

Chris Phillips, Google's vice president and general manager of education, said the goal is to give school leaders control over how AI is used in classrooms. The New York Times first reported the change.