Google will switch Gemini and Search off for K-12 student accounts until schools turn them on
Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search will be entirely off for K-12 student accounts until administrators enable them; Guided Learning is live in Classroom worldwide today and a Search pilot starts in select US schools this month.
Why it matters
Google says it changed its approach to school controls after listening to schools, teachers, researchers and policymakers, and will share details with schools in the coming months before the change rolls out. Guided Learning, first built into Gemini, coaches students with open-ended questions and step-by-step breakdowns instead of giving answers. Chalkbeat notes Classroom is used by about 150 million students and teachers and frames the move against a backlash over AI in schools. In Search, student homework queries such as pasted physics problems will trigger prompts rather than direct answers.
Key facts
- Off by default: Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, Search
- Applies to K-12 student accounts
- Guided Learning in Classroom globally from 3 Nov
- Search pilot in select US schools later in November
- Classroom used by about 150M students and teachers