Google is facing criticism over a new policy that could leave students without access to Google Search if their schools refuse to use artificial intelligence.
The company announced on November 3 that it will disable Google Search and its AI tools by default for school-managed K–12 student accounts, allowing administrators to decide which services to enable.
However, schools that want to completely avoid AI will also lose access to Google Search because the company does not offer a version of its search engine without integrated AI features for these accounts.
The decision has drawn criticism from US politicians, including Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who accuse Google of using its position in the search market to pressure schools into adopting AI.
Schools Must Choose Between AI-Powered Search and No Search
Google announced the changes in a blog post titled “Designing Responsible AI for Learning.”
Under the new policy, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search will be disabled by default for K–12 student accounts.
School administrators will be able to activate these services individually.
However, Google has not provided an option to use traditional Google Search without AI-powered features.
Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president for education, told The New York Times that Search and AI have become closely integrated.
As a result, students whose schools completely prohibit AI will not have access to Google Search through their school accounts.
Instead, they will see a message explaining that the service is unavailable.
The changes are expected to take effect in early 2027.
Google Introduces Guided Learning in Classrooms
Alongside the new restrictions, Google announced Guided Learning, an AI-powered feature designed to help students understand schoolwork.
The feature will be available through Google Classroom and integrated into AI Mode and AI Overviews in Google Search.
Instead of immediately providing answers, Guided Learning aims to help students solve problems through explanations, questions, and step-by-step instructions.
For example, students working on physics problems or writing assignments may receive guidance intended to help them understand the subject rather than simply complete the task.
Google says Guided Learning is now available globally in Classroom, while a pilot program for its integration into Search will begin at selected US schools in November.
The company introduced AI Overviews in Google Search in May 2024.
Bernie Sanders and New York Mayor Criticize Google
Google’s announcement prompted strong criticism from several US politicians.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused the company of using its dominance in online search to pressure public schools into accepting AI.
Senator Bernie Sanders also criticized the policy, describing it as extortion and accusing Google of threatening schools.
Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan raised similar concerns.
Google is trying to use its monopoly power to force AI into our public schools.
No corporation should have the power to dictate how we teach our children.
Our public schools exist to serve students, not to grow the profit margins of Big Tech.https://t.co/jfACMS1Sh2
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) November 3, 2026
Khan argued that the policy demonstrated the risks of allowing a company with significant market power to control an essential service.
The criticism follows previous US antitrust proceedings involving Google’s search and advertising businesses.
Google has faced court findings against some of its business practices, although the company has also successfully challenged certain government demands for remedies.
Google is using its search monopoly to coerce schools into adopting AI. This highlights the danger of allowing an unregulated monopolist to control an essential service.
Multiple courts have found Google liable for violating antitrust laws, and this latest move shows it remains… https://t.co/eajJN9yfQF
— Lina Khan (@linamkhan) November 3, 2026
Google Defends Its AI Policy
Following the criticism, Google issued a statement on X defending the changes.
The company said its goal was to give schools greater control over how students use artificial intelligence.
Google explained that Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search would be turned off by default and that administrators could choose which services to activate.
The company also said the updated Search experience would use Guided Learning to discourage students from relying on AI-generated answers to complete assignments.
According to Google, the changes respond to concerns raised by educators about students using AI to avoid doing their own schoolwork.
However, the statement did not directly explain why schools cannot keep Google Search enabled while disabling all AI features.
We want to clarify what we announced today about our education services. Today’s announcements give schools more choice, not less. Here’s what we announced:
– Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search will be OFF
by default. This is based on K-12 schools asking for more control…
— News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) November 3, 2026
Concerns About AI’s Impact on Children
The dispute comes amid growing concerns about the effects of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies on children.
Nonprofit organization Common Sense Media recently gave Google’s AI Overviews an “unacceptable risk” rating.
In October, US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley also launched an inquiry into Google’s expanding use of AI in classrooms.
The senators requested information about the company’s approach to introducing AI tools to students and the potential risks involved.
Other technology companies have faced similar scrutiny over child safety.
In August, Meta reached a $16.7 billion settlement in litigation involving allegations about the mental health effects of Facebook and Instagram on children.
During the same month, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT for Teens following scrutiny of its safety practices.
The company had faced an investigation by state attorneys general, while Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit in June.
Google’s latest policy adds to the wider debate over how technology companies should introduce AI into schools.
Although Google says it wants to give educators more control, schools seeking to prohibit AI entirely will still face the loss of Google Search access on their managed student accounts unless the company changes its approach.
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