Mamdani accuses Google of forcing AI into schools through search access policy
Mamdani's criticism comes after Google announced that students using its classroom software will lose access to Google Search unless their school district opts into artificial intelligence tools.
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In an X post on Tuesday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani blasted a new Google policy, accusing the tech giant of trying to "use its monopoly power to force AI into [NYC] public schools."
Mamdani's criticism comes after Google announced that students using its classroom software will lose access to Google Search unless their school district opts into artificial intelligence tools.
"Our public schools exist to serve students, not to grow the profit margins of Big Tech," Mamdani said.
Google has faced growing pushback from educators, parents and child development experts since expanding access to its Gemini chatbot for many K-12 students earlier this year.
Under the new policy, schools can choose whether to enable tools such as Gemini and Google Search. However, because Search is integrated with Google's AI features, schools that opt out of AI entirely would also lose access to Google Search.
Google says the changes give administrators more control over how AI is used in classrooms. Critics, including Mamdani, argue the policy effectively pressures schools to adopt AI if they want to maintain access to Google's search platform.
AP wires contributed to this story.
