Google To Turn Off AI, Search Option For School Children By Default

Google has said it will switch off its AI tools for school children by default, after drawing criticism for pushing artificial intelligence features to students while schools are still debating how the technology should be used in classrooms.The search engine juggernaut dominates technology in American schools.

Its education apps, including Gmail, Docs and the Classroom platform, are used in classrooms across the country, and its low-cost Chromebook laptops are the devices US schools most often issue to students.Under the changes Google announced in a blog post on Tuesday, Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Search will be turned off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators switch them on.Google told AFP the new controls would be rolled out worldwide, beginning in the United States, but that it had not yet set a date.READ | Schools That Ban AI Will Also Lose Google Search For Students, Says Tech GiantThe changes also mean schools will not be able to give students Google Search without its AI features.Chris Phillips, Google's vice president for education…