Google plans to switch off Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search by default for K-12 student accounts. School administrators will need to turn on the services they want students to use.
Google initially said Search and AI are deeply integrated, meaning schools seeking an entirely AI-free experience would also have to disable Search. Following criticism, the company clarified that administrators can enable each service individually. However, it does not offer a version of Search without AI Overviews and AI Mode.
For student accounts, Google says those Search features will be adjusted to provide step-by-step guidance rather than quick answers to schoolwork. The approach builds on Guided Learning, a Gemini tutoring mode that uses open-ended questions to help students work through problems.
Guided Learning is being piloted in Search at select US schools later this month. It is also available globally in Google Classroom from today as an activity teachers can assign. Google says it will provide schools with more details in the coming months, ahead of the new controls rolling out early next year.
Until now, Gemini was enabled automatically for schools using Google Classroom, a policy that drew criticism from parent advocacy groups.
Sources: GSMArena.