Google's decision to force all schools to use that AI or lose search illustrates the problem when a single company is a monopoly over the applications, tools, and email that school districts use. It was a mistake for school districts to turn over e and start everything using Google as a district-wide tool. Now the costs are really great if a district wants to pull the plug and Google the Monopolist knows this, so it can mistreat its customers in any fashion it desires. What will they force down the throats of schools next?
Any school district considering a move to Google and its products should probably put that on hold and think about what power they are handing over to that company.
On the other hand, taking away Google Search if a district turns off their AI services, might not be that much of a loss. Google Search in recent times is often unreliable and you really spend more time sorting through their "sponsored garbage" than one should have to. So, it might be worth thinking about switching to another search alternative anyway. There are other options out there for students to use.
At the end of the day, when a company like Google has too much power it is really our fault for granting that to them. Schools should learn the lessons here.
When you turn any massive amount digital tasks over to a company, think hard about the power over you and your district you are handing over.
Increasingly, it seems we can't trust Big Tech companies. Google certainly wiped from their mind the notion "Don't be evil" on this one.
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