Senator Markey Demands Google Decouple AI From Search for Schools

Senator Edward J. Markey has written a letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai demanding the company reverse its plans to disable Search for schools if they disable AI.

AI remains a controversial tool, especially where children and education are involved. Teachers and parents are still trying to determine how to help children have a healthy relationship with AI and use it without the potential negative side effects.

Unfortunately, as WPN previously reported, Google has coupled Search with AI, disabling the former if schools choose to disable the latter. Needless to say, the plans drew immediate backlash from educators and lawmakers alike.

Senator Markey is now weighing in, demanding Google reverse its decision, in a letter shared with WPN:

“Just this month, a girl and her family sued Google after Gemini allegedly ‘helped coach her through a plan to commit suicide,’” Markey wrote in his letter. “The girl accessed Gemini through Google Search on a school-issued Chromebook, even though the school had blocked access to Gemini’s standalone app and website. At a time when schools, parents, and policymakers are working hard to implement safeguards on AI chatbots for our children, Google is recklessly forcing AI on schools and treating kids like collateral damage. Schools deserve the right to block student access to AI chatbots without also forfeiting access to an important educational tool.

“Google’s dominant position in education technology makes this ultimatum particularly concerning,” Markey continued. “Although Google has a right to create and offer new educational tools, it should not use its dominant market position to force schools to adopt them.”

Markey’s letter demands the following information by November 30:

• Will Google commit to allowing schools to disable generative AI features and chatbots on K-12 student accounts, including AI Overviews, Gemini, and Guided Learning, while retaining access to Google Search?
• Is it technically feasible for Google to provide K-12 student accounts with Google Search results that exclude AI Overviews, Guided Learning, and other generative AI features or chatbots?
• Please provide any research, testing, or risk assessments that Google has conducted on the safety, mental health, and learning effects of AI Overviews, Gemini, and Guided Learning on K-12 students, including for children under age 13.
• How many K-12 schools and districts that use Google’s products currently restrict or prohibit students’ access to generative AI features or AI chatbots outside Google Search?

Google has a history of abusing its dominant position to push its other products, and this latest decision seems like more of the same. Given the immediate and vocal backlash, the company may want to rethink its plans.