AI and learning: A new chapter for students and educators

Editor’s note: Today, we published a paper on AI and the Future of Learning, outlining Google’s approach to building AI to help improve learning outcomes for everyone. Alongside this closer look, we’ll publish more on the topic in the coming weeks.

Throughout history, new technologies — from the printing press to the internet — have reshaped how we learn. Today, through the growth of AI, we’re at the start of the next big step.

The world has made incredible progress in expanding access to education, with 90% of primary school-aged children now enrolled in school. But learners around the world still face significant challenges. Many communities lack access to high-quality educational resources, and experts project the world will need 44 million more teachers by 2030. These trends put a strain on our educational systems, but we believe AI can help.

To realize this potential, AI learning tools must help learners cultivate deep understanding, not just deliver quick answers. They must ignite curiosity and engage learners in a process of discovery—not offer a shortcut.

Our goal at Google isn’t to replace the essential human elements of learning and teaching, but to support educators and to make learning more effective, efficient and engaging — not just for school, but for work and lifelong curiosity. The Internet helped people access information. AI can help them understand and apply it in a way that reflects their individual learning preferences and interests.

Our tools built for learners

Our tools for learning are purpose built and grounded in best-in-class learning science. The AI models that power them are rooted in pedagogical principles and developed in partnership with learning experts to enable true learning.

For example, in Gemini, people can choose a Guided Learning path that helps them unearth the answer instead of just giving it away. We've added ways to make YouTube and Search more conversational, too, so students can ask questions as they learn on those platforms. NotebookLM helps you study better using your own sources and turning content into quizzes, flashcards or immersive audio or video experiences. For instructors, our no-cost AI tools in Google Classroom can act as powerful assistants, helping with lesson planning and administrative tasks so teachers can focus on what’s most important: inspiring and supporting their students.

Our commitment to responsibility

We also know that AI introduces important questions we must address collectively. Issues like cheating, equitable access, accuracy, safety and ensuring that AI fosters rather than erodes critical thinking are top of mind for us.

We’re especially focused on helping the education community navigate challenges to academic integrity. This means helping students — and learners everywhere — develop the AI literacy needed to use these tools most beneficially. This includes experimenting with ways to rethink assessments for an AI-enabled world, including by shifting toward forms of evaluation that AI cannot easily replicate, such as in-class debates, portfolio projects and oral examinations.

Ultimately, the promise of AI for learning won’t be achieved alone. We’re committed to understanding and incorporating the perspectives of educators, parents, policymakers and students into our learning tools and to ensure their benefits are distributed equitably around the world.

By thoughtfully combining the art of teaching with the science of learning, we want to help everyone reach their full potential.