Google Walks Back AI Mandate After Political Backlash Over Search Access
Google has revised its K-12 education policy following intense political backlash over claims that it would deny students access to Google Search if schools banned its AI tools. The company now states that Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search are off by default, allowing schools to enable them individually. While Google claims this offers more choice, critics argue the integration of AI into Search remains unavoidable, and the company has not fully addressed concerns about AI features being embedded in the core search experience.