Google has announced the rollout of a new suite of artificial intelligence (AI) tools aimed specifically at enhancing education for students under 18 and their educators. Central to this initiative is the expansion of NotebookLM, a generative AI-powered research and note-taking tool, now available to minor-aged users, alongside an integrated “Gemini” sidebar accessible directly from Google Classroom.
NotebookLM will soon be made available to students under 18 for the first time. Previously restricted to adult users, the tool harnesses the Gemini AI model to create interactive study guides and summaries derived from materials uploaded by teachers or students. A notable feature, “Audio Overviews,” converts textual content into concise, podcast‑style audio summaries, an innovative method to support auditory learners.
Teachers will benefit from expanded AI-assisted functionality within Google Classroom, now including a dedicated Gemini tab. This feature offers support with lesson planning, question generation, email drafting, and math problem creation, streamlining many time‑intensive tasks for educators. For Google Workspace Education Plus subscribers, enhanced tools such as audio‑based lessons and analytics dashboards will soon offer deeper insights into student performance.
Furthering its AI ambitions, Google is introducing “Gems”, custom, curriculum‑aligned Gemini chatbots crafted by teachers. These digital “experts” can address students’ follow‑up questions on specific topics, offering personalised guidance and reinforcing core concepts. Educators will be able to build and distribute these Gems via Google Classroom and popular learning management systems such as PowerSchool, Schoology, and Canvas.
Additional innovations unveiled include:
- Google Vids: A text‑to‑video generative AI tool enabling the creation of short instructional videos, ideal for engaging lessons or assignment overviews.
- Expanded Analytics: A new dashboard to track student engagement, highlight late or missing assignments, and pinpoint learners in need of targeted support.
- Class Tools: Device management controls allowing teachers to share work directly with student Chromebooks, lock screens during lessons, and limit browsing distractions.
Security and trust remain foundational to Google’s education strategy. All Gemini tools operate under strict content policies tailored for those under 18, incorporating curated onboarding and AI literacy resources developed in collaboration with child safety organisations. Fact-checking steps, including automatic verification using Google Search, are embedded to reduce misinformation risks. Importantly, student data is never utilised to train AI models, aligning with regulatory frameworks such as FERPA and COPPA, and adhering to enterprise-level data security standards.
This announcement was made during a major global education technology conference, where Google debuted over 30 new AI-powered educational tools. Built on the advanced Gemini 2.5 Pro model but provided at no additional cost to education users on Google Workspace, the tools include interactive diagrams, personalised quiz generation, and automatic content summarisation via NotebookLM and Google Vids.
In summary, Google’s expanding AI toolkit, highlighted by the inclusion of NotebookLM for minors, the debut of teacher-designed Gems, and robust classroom integration, marks a significant shift toward personalised, AI-driven learning. With an emphasis on safety, privacy, and pedagogical value, the company is equipping educators and students to harness AI in a trusted, responsible, and accessible manner.
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