Google will switch off Search in schools that reject its AI

Google says Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Search will be off for K-12 student accounts unless administrators turn them on. Administrators cannot disable Gemini-powered features without also losing Search. The change starts in 2027.

Why it matters: Bundling Search with AI features removes a real opt-out for schools, given Google's grip on the US education market. It shows how AI is being tied into core products, and it may draw regulatory attention as AI-in-education policy develops.