Google Clarifies Schools Can Keep Search Without Gemini App
Google says schools can keep Search without enabling the Gemini app, addressing criticism of its education announcement. This clarification comes after concerns were raised about AI use in schools.
Original reporting · searchenginewatch.com
Original: “Google says schools won’t have to turn on the Gemini app to keep Search”
Read “Google says schools won’t have to turn on the Gemini app to keep Search” at Search Engine Watch →
How this was written. Content Catalyst wrote this article with a language model from Search Engine Watch’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from Search Engine Watch’s report
- Google says schools can keep Search without enabling the Gemini app, addressing criticism of its education announcement.
- Separate app switches will give schools control over which services students can open, but do not address the request for Search without AI.
- Google's Search pilot will begin in select US schools later in November, testing the company's promise of providing guided learning.
- Google's plans for schools are still evolving, and the company will need to continue to address concerns about AI use in schools.
- Schools will receive more details in the coming months before the controls roll out, which will apply to K-12 student accounts.
Google has issued a clarification on its education announcement, stating that schools will be able to keep Search while leaving the Gemini app switched off. This move comes after criticism from educators who were concerned about the use of AI in schools. The clarification aims to address the concerns and provide more control to schools over student use of AI services.
According to Search Engine Watch, Google's original announcement sparked concerns among educators, who felt that the company was not providing enough control over AI use in schools. Google's clarification describes the planned controls, which will allow schools to choose to turn on one, two, or all of the services, including Search, Gemini, and Gemini Notebook, individually. The default-off controls will apply to K-12 student accounts.
The clarification also highlights that schools will receive more details in the coming months before the controls roll out. Google's statement on X emphasized that the announcements give schools more choice, not less. The company described how the planned controls would work, with separate app switches giving schools control over which services students can open.
However, the objection from some educators concerns what happens after Search is turned on. The New York Times reported that Google plans two Search options for school accounts in early 2027, both of which would include AI. This has raised concerns among educators, who feel that Google should let schools disable AI Overviews while keeping Search. Eisha Buch, head of teaching and learning at Common Sense Media, told Chalkbeat that Google should provide this option.
Google's education chief Chris Phillips told Chalkbeat that schools wanting AI off entirely could choose not to use Search. However, this does not address the concern of providing Search without AI. Google's clarification describes AI Mode and AI Overviews as part of its plans for schools, which will offer step-by-step guided learning through problems. The company wants Search to guide students through homework, rather than providing quick answers.
The Search pilot will begin in select US schools later in November, with Guided Learning activating when its systems detect certain types of homework questions. Google framed this approach as a response to educators' concerns about students using AI to shortcut schoolwork. The pilot will test the promise of providing guided learning, but it remains to be seen whether students will stop using AI to shortcut their work.
Google's announcement does not establish that students will stop using AI to shortcut their work, and the company's plans for schools are still evolving. The clarification provides some reassurance to schools, but the issue of AI use in schools remains a concern. As Google continues to develop its education plans, it will be important to monitor how the company addresses these concerns and provides control to schools over AI use.
Questions and answers
Can schools keep Search without enabling the Gemini app?
Yes, Google says schools can keep Search without enabling the Gemini app, according to its clarification.
Will Google provide Search without AI?
Google's clarification does not address this concern, and the company's plans for schools include AI Mode and AI Overviews as part of Search.
When will the Search pilot begin?
The Search pilot will begin in select US schools later in November, with Guided Learning activating when its systems detect certain types of homework questions.
