Google says schools that opt out of AI tools will also lose access to search

Starting early 2027, Gemini and Google Search become opt-in for student accounts, and schools can't keep one without the other Google is about to give school administrators a choice that isn’t really much of a choice. Starting early next year, its AI tools will be turned off by default for K-12 student accounts, and schools that keep AI disabled will lose Google Search along with it. That means a district that wants to keep chatbots out of the classroom may also have to keep the world’s most popular search engine out. What Google is changing Google announced the policy on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The changes apply to student accounts within Google Workspace for Education, the software suite many US schools rely on for email, documents and classwork. Beginning in early 2027, access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Google Search will be opt-in. The default setting will be disabled. School administrators will need to actively turn these tools on if they want students to use them. Doing nothing means students get nothing. The catch is how tightly Google has woven AI into search itself. Features like AI Overviews and AI Mode now sit inside the core search experience, so Google says it c...