Google faces backlash for plan that would turn off Search for schools that restrict AI

Google announced that schools using its K-12 software will not be able to use Search unless they opt in to using AI tools, sparking backlash from left-leaning politicians who accuse Google of acting as an unregulated monopoly. Google's vice president for education, Chris Phillips, explained that Search and AI are 'deeply integrated,' and students will not have access to search if their school doesn't opt in to using AI tools like Gemini. Politicians, including Senator Bernie Sanders and former FTC chair Lina Khan, condemned Google's decision as anticompetitive and extortionate, with Khan stating that Google remains 'unchastened' despite being found liable for violating antitrust laws. Educators worry that Google's built-in AI overviews could dissuade students from finding answers themselves, and NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani accused Google of dictating how children are taught.