Google Sets Search and AI Services Off by Default for Students

Google says access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search will be off by default for managed K-12 student accounts until school administrators enable the services. The November 3 announcement sets a new default, while Google says more implementation details will be shared before the changes roll out. Google later clarified that schools can enable Search, Gemini and Gemini Notebook individually. That means administrators can permit Search while leaving the separately named Gemini services off. The clarification does not explain whether schools can use Search with AI features such as AI Mode and AI Overviews disabled. The distinction is between permission to use a service and the features available within it. Google’s announcement says AI Mode and AI Overviews will offer Guided Learning, which the company describes as helping students work through problems step by step rather than providing quick answers. Google has not documented in the reported clarification a configuration for Search without those AI features. Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president and general manager for education, said the changes are intended to give schools more control over AI...