Google’s controversial Search and AI policy for schools | Explained

The story so far: Google on November 3, 2026, outlined its approach to deploying AI across classrooms in the U.S. The company noted that access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search would be “entirely off for K-12 student accounts” until school administrators turned them on.

While this sounds benign, a New York Times report on the search giant turning off Search for schools that reject AI has ignited anger across the U.S., after Google’s vice president of education, Chris Phillips, confirmed that schools banning AI would not have access to Search. Google’s new ‘pick both or nothing’ policy on Search and AI features for school students has sparked a debate over its AI safety policies for children.