Google Turns Off AI Tools by Default for School Pupils

Google has announced plans to disable its artificial intelligence tools by default for primary and secondary school students, leaving school administrators to decide whether to activate them.

The changes, announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will affect student accounts used in kindergarten through Grade 12, including access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search.

According to Google, the move follows feedback from teachers, parents and school administrators seeking greater control over the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms.

Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president and general manager of education, said the company wanted to give schools more control over how its AI products are used in learning environments.

The decision comes amid growing concerns that AI chatbots could encourage students to take shortcuts in completing assignments, weaken critical-thinking skills and create additional risks involving children’s development and privacy.

However, the policy has raised questions about students’ access to ordinary online research. Because Google Search is closely integrated with AI features, schools that choose to disable the relevant services may also lose access to Google Search for student accounts.

Google has said that Search and AI are deeply integrated, meaning schools that completely restrict the features will not be able to provide students with the search service through those accounts.

The announcement has attracted criticism from education advocates and policymakers who argue that schools should be able to restrict AI tools without losing access to essential digital learning resources.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticised the company, arguing that technology firms should not determine how public schools teach children.

Google, however, said the changes were intended to give schools greater choice over the technology available to students.

The company is also expanding Guided Learning features designed to help students work through problems step by step rather than simply providing answers. The tools are intended to support learning and encourage students to understand concepts independently.

Google’s decision marks a significant development in the debate over the role of artificial intelligence in education, as schools seek to balance the potential benefits of digital learning tools with concerns about academic integrity, student safety and independent thinking.