Google will restrict access to its search engine for schools that choose not to enable the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools, drawing criticism from educators and child safety advocates.

The technology giant announced the decision on Tuesday, saying schools using its classroom software would need to activate AI services to retain access to Google Search, which is increasingly integrated with AI technology.

Under the revised policy, K-12 schools will be able to independently enable or disable services such as Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Google Search. All services will remain switched off by default until school administrators activate them.

However, schools that choose to reject Google’s AI tools entirely will also lose access to its search engine because of the integration, reports AP.

“We believe schools should have control over AI in their classrooms and in providing administrators with controls to help them manage their approach,” Chris Phillips, Google’s vice president and general manager of education, said in a blog post.

Google also announced plans to introduce guided learning features to its search services, allowing students to work through problems step by step rather than simply receiving answers to assignments.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns among educators, parents and child development specialists over the use of AI in schools. Criticism intensified in August after Google activated its Gemini chatbot for many K-12 students using Google Classroom.

Google said around 150 million students and teachers worldwide use Google Classroom, making it one of the largest providers of educational technology to schools.

The latest move has drawn criticism from Lina Khan, former chair of the US Federal Trade Commission, who accused the company of using its dominance in the search market to pressure schools into adopting AI.

“Google is using its search monopoly to coerce schools into adopting AI,” Khan wrote on social media, warning that the move could allow a dominant company to exert control over an essential educational service.

New York City and Los Angeles, which operate the two largest school districts in the United States, have temporarily restricted generative AI tools in elementary and middle schools while assessing their safety and educational impact.

Critics have also raised concerns that AI tools could make academic cheating easier and discourage students from developing critical thinking skills. Experts have questioned the potential effects of prolonged AI exposure on children’s brain development.

Josh Golin, executive director of children’s advocacy group Fairplay, said Google’s attempt to push its AI products into schools could backfire.

He argued that the company’s presence in schools was less about improving education and more about building long-term customer loyalty.

Golin urged schools to switch off Google’s AI tools and consider privacy-focused search alternatives, encouraging students to engage in deeper research rather than relying solely on online search results.