Parents and teachers decry Google pledge to yank Search if schools block AI: 'This threat is nothing but extortion'

Parents and teachers decry Google pledge to yank Search if schools block AI: 'This threat is nothing but extortion' Company says schools should control student AI use, but if they block its AI tools, they'll lose access to search engine Parents and teachers across the US are criticizing Google's announcement that schools choosing to block AI tools could also lose access to Google Search. Google announced last week a range of new AI tools for schools and classrooms, alongside options allowing teachers and administrators to restrict their use. The company said schools should have control over whether students use AI in the classroom, but that schools that choose to block Google's AI tools will also lose access to its search engine. "We believe schools should have control over AI in their classrooms and in providing administrators with controls to help them manage their approach," said Chris Phillips, vice-president for education at Google. "After listening to schools, teachers, leading researchers, and policymakers, we are now updating our approach to controls for Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Google Search. Access to these products will be entirely off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators explicitly turn them on."