AI is quickly becoming part of everyday search. For many students, typing a question into a search engine brings back an AI-generated answer before any links appear. That might be convenient, but it changes how students research. It also raises an important question for K-12 leaders: who decides when AI is part of the learning experience?
Recent changes from Google have put a spotlight on that question, and on how few options schools have when they want students to use Google Search without automatically getting AI-generated answers. Until now, districts have often had to choose between allowing those answers and restricting search altogether.
Gaggle Web Filter already directed students away from AI chat modes in search. Now it goes further.
The new AI Answers in Search setting in Gaggle Web Filter lets district administrators hide AI-generated answers in search results across five popular search engines:
Google gets most of the attention, but hiding AI answers there only solves part of the problem. Students can switch to another search engine in their browser and find the same kind of AI-generated summaries. Covering five search engines with one setting closes that gap, so your policy holds no matter where students search.
When AI Answers in Search is enabled, it:
The setting works with the Chrome and Safari browser extensions, as well as Edge, and it doesn’t change your existing website allow/block rules.
This isn’t about removing AI from classrooms. It’s about letting each district decide where AI helps learning and where students benefit from doing the research themselves.
“Gaggle’s approach is not about eliminating AI from education. It’s about giving schools the flexibility to determine where AI supports learning and where students benefit from researching independently.” Greg Hart, Product Manager, Gaggle
The new capability builds on Gaggle Web Filter’s flexible, customizable policies, which are designed to reflect each district’s educational priorities. Because AI-generated search answers are managed separately from website access, districts can make more intentional decisions about students’ online experience without starting over on the rules they already have. Read the full press release.
Want to see how AI Answers in Search fits into your district’s filtering strategy? Connect with us to learn more about the new setting and how Gaggle helps K-12 leaders shape safer, more intentional online learning.