Google says schools won’t have to turn on the Gemini app to keep Search

Google says schools will be able to keep Search while leaving the Gemini app switched off. But if you want students to search without AI, its clarification leaves that concern unresolved.

Google issued the clarification after criticism of its November 3 education announcement.

“Today’s announcements give schools more choice, not less,” Google said in a statement on X.

It described how the planned controls would work:

“Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and Search will be OFF by default. This is based on K-12 schools asking for more control over student use of AI services.”

“Schools are in control: They can choose to turn ON one, two, or all of these services individually.”

That means a school could enable Search without enabling the standalone AI services. Google’s original announcement says the default-off controls will apply to K-12 student accounts. Schools will receive more details in the coming months before those controls roll out.

Separate app switches leave AI inside Search

The objection from some educators concerns what happens after you turn Search on.

The New York Times reported that Google plans two Search options for school accounts in early 2027. Both would include AI, with one using Guided Learning to walk students through schoolwork.

Eisha Buch, head of teaching and learning at Common Sense Media, told Chalkbeat that Google should let schools disable AI Overviews while keeping Search. Google education chief Chris Phillips told the publication that schools wanting AI off entirely could choose not to use Search.

If you manage a school’s accounts, separate switches give you control over which services students can open. They don’t answer the request for Search without AI. Google’s clarification describes AI Mode and AI Overviews as part of its plans for schools:

“We are also updating Search for schools to make it better for learning. 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.”

Google wants Search to guide students through homework

The Search pilot will begin in select US schools later in November. Guided Learning will activate when its systems detect certain types of homework questions, such as help with a physics problem or book report.

Google framed that approach as a response to educators’ concerns:

“We know there’s concern about students using AI to shortcut schoolwork, and schools have told us they want control. That’s exactly why we are making these changes today to address the feedback we’ve heard from educators in recent months.”

The pilot will test that promise. Google’s announcement doesn’t establish that students will stop using AI to shortcut their work.

Source: Google