Schools that ban AI could also lose access to Google Search, according to a report by The New York Times. Google vice president for education Chris Phillips said Search and AI are “deeply integrated,” and students at affected schools would see a message saying Search is unavailable.
Google plans to introduce two search options for school-issued accounts in early 2027. One will include AI Overviews and AI chats; the other will offer Guided Learning, a feature within Google’s Gemini chatbot designed to lead students through a topic step by step rather than simply provide answers.
The reported approach has drawn criticism from Lina Khan, a former chair of the Federal Trade Commission. She told the Times that Google was using its search position to pressure schools into adopting AI, and said the move would penalize schools that resist its use.
Google’s position is that AI is now integrated into Search. However, the report notes that it is possible to search the web without AI, as Google Search operated for years before these features were introduced.
Sources: Tom's Guide.