Google told schools that turning off its AI features would also cost them Search. DuckDuckGo is offering an AI-free alternative, which matters if your child uses Google at school.
DuckDuckGo is pitching itself to schools after Google said that turning off most of its AI features would also take away Google Search. On Tuesday, Google told schools they could switch off Gemini, its AI assistant. Shutting off its other AI features, however, would cost schools Search too.
After the backlash, Google defended its plan. It said Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Search will be off by default, and schools can turn each one on individually. Google said this answers K-12 schools that asked for more control. The catch is that Google Search now leans heavily on AI, through AI Overviews and a chat-style AI Mode that answers questions.
DuckDuckGo is a search engine that focuses on privacy by limiting the data it collects. Google has long dominated education. Figures Google published in earlier years put about 50 million Chromebooks in schools, and Google Classroom serves over 150 million users worldwide.
CEO Gabriel Weinberg pointed schools to guides for switching their default search engine to DuckDuckGo and added, "get in touch for help." A senior executive, Kamyl Bazbaz, was blunter. He accused Google of acting like a monopolist that thinks people are powerless. DuckDuckGo also said Google could easily turn off Search's AI features for schools if it wanted to.
DuckDuckGo is not against AI. It offers a chat tool called Duck.ai and an AI search assistant. The difference, the company says, is that users can turn these off in its search and browser settings. It also runs noai.duckduckgo.com, a site with AI answers, AI images and AI suggestions switched off. Earlier this year, the company reported its app installs were up 30%.
Google has built a tool called Guided Learning, which walks students through problem-solving steps instead of handing over answers. Even so, educators are still asking for ways to remove AI from learning altogether. It is not yet known how many schools will switch search engines, or whether Google will change its policy.
If your child's school uses Google, ask what AI is switched on and whether a different search engine is possible.
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