Google offers weak response to accusations it would hold Search hostage if schools restrict AI tools

Google LLC just faced a barrage of criticism after the company warned that if schools restricted their students from using its artificial intelligence tools, the same students wouldn’t be able to use Search.

The fallout came after the company announced a slew of new products for classrooms. Teachers and schools were told that the new AI tools would come with features that will allow for limitations or complete blocks of the features, but if teachers or schools should take that route, students would not be able to use Google Search. Some media described it as rather cunning behavior from the tech giant.

“After listening to schools, teachers, leading researchers, and policymakers, we are now updating our approach to controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search,” Google said in a blog post. “Access to these products will be entirely off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly turn them on.”

A New York Times article followed the announcement and explained that where schools have banned the use of AI or if they limit AI in the classroom, the students would not have access to Search. With Google’s suit of products being a mainstay in classrooms all over the U.S., the backlash was imminent.

“Google is trying to use its monopoly power to force AI into our public schools,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on X. “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.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont was equally chastising, writing on X that, “Google is threatening schools,” and using what amounts to, “extortion.” Lina Khan, former chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, was similarly unimpressed, writing that Google was trying to, “coerce schools into adopting AI”.

Google was quick to respond. In a post on X, the company said its new policy is about giving schools more control over how students use AI. Gemini chatbot, Gemini Notebook, the company explained, will be turned off by default, but “schools are in control.”

“We are also updating Search for schools to make it better for learning,” Google added. “Specifically, AI Mode and AI Overviews will offer step-by-step guided learning through problems, so that students don’t get quick answers to schoolwork.” The company explained that it was aware of the dangers of students embracing the “AI shortcut” and effectively not engaging their brains.

In what seemed like a sleight of hand or exercise in obfuscation, Google seemed to ignore the basis of the criticism regarding Search not being available when AI functions were turned off. Given the company has found itself under the gun many times in recent years for its sometimes-underhand business tactics, and in light of studies showing overuse of technology can have a harmful impact on children, the response seemed tepid at best.

Photo: Unsplash

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