Google is moving its Gemini AI deeper into schools with a large set of education-focused updates announced on Monday at the ISTE edtech conference. The rollout includes more than 30 AI tools for educators, a version of the Gemini app built for education, broader access to Google Vids, and new features for managed Chromebooks.
The push arrives as schools are already dealing with a fast-changing AI environment. Students are using AI chatbots for homework help, and some tools are marketed around doing schoolwork for them. At the same time, higher education institutions are wrestling with whether plagiarism detectors can reliably identify AI-written work.
What Google Is Adding
Google said its Gemini AI suite for educators is now available for free to all Google Workspace for Education accounts. The company described the move as part of its belief that "responsible AI" can support "more engaging and personalized learning experiences" when used alongside human-led teaching.
The educator tools are designed to help teachers with tasks that often take time outside direct instruction. According to Google, teachers can use AI technology to brainstorm ideas, generate lesson plans, and personalize content for students.
The update is not limited to one product. Google is tying together several classroom tools, including Gemini, Notebook LM, Google Vids, Read Along in Classroom, Google Classroom, Google Meet, and managed Chromebooks.
AI Support Built Around Class Materials
One of the most important changes is the way Google plans to steer student AI use toward teacher-provided materials. Over the next several months, teachers will be able to create interactive study guides with Notebook LM using their classroom materials.
Teachers will also be able to create custom versions of Gemini called "Gems." These Gems are intended to work as AI experts for students who need extra support or want a clearer explanation of the subject.
That matters because students are already turning to AI chatbots to explain topics and answer questions. Google’s approach brings that behavior into its own education environment, where the AI can be trained on the teacher’s own classroom materials instead of operating as a general chatbot detached from the course.
Google also said teachers will soon be able to offer students real-time support through the AI-powered reading buddy in Read Along in Classroom. In practical terms, the company is positioning AI as a layer of assistance inside the classroom workflow rather than as a separate tool students use on their own.
Video Creation Comes To More Schools
Google is also expanding basic access to Google Vids, its AI-powered video creation app, to all Google Workspace for Education users. The tool can serve both sides of the classroom.
For teachers, Google Vids can be used to create instructional videos. For students, it can support assignments such as book reports or other classroom projects.
This adds another format to the AI classroom stack. Instead of limiting AI use to text prompts, lesson planning, or study guides, Google is giving educators and students a way to produce video-based work within the same education ecosystem.
Controls, Analytics, And Chromebook Tools
Alongside the creation tools, Google is rolling out features meant to help schools manage AI use and classroom activity. The company said the updates include ways to track student progress against learning standards and skills, view analytics on student performance and engagement, and better secure Gemini user data and data in Gmail.
Administrators and educators will also get more control over who can access AI tools such as Gemini and Notebook LM. Google is adding better control over Google Meet waiting rooms as well.
For managed Chromebooks, Google introduced a new teaching mode called Class tools. It lets teachers connect directly with students through Google Classroom and push materials to students’ screens, including videos, articles, slides, and quizzes.
Class tools can adapt content to a student’s own language if needed. They are also designed to keep students focused by limiting browsing to specific tabs.
Why This Classroom AI Push Matters
Google’s announcement reflects a broader reality for schools: AI is already present in learning environments, whether educators planned for it or not. Students can ask chatbots for help, and institutions are still trying to determine how to handle AI-generated work.
Google’s strategy is to bring those behaviors into tools that schools can manage. The company is not presenting AI as a replacement for teachers. Instead, it is framing the technology as a support system for lesson planning, personalized content, study help, video assignments, reading support, progress tracking, and classroom management.
The challenge for schools will be deciding how these tools fit into daily teaching. The opportunity is that AI use can become more connected to teacher guidance, classroom materials, and administrative controls instead of happening in disconnected apps outside the school environment.