Google has announced a major expansion of its AI-powered tools for education, unveiling over 30 new features aimed at helping teachers and students make better use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. The announcement was made at the ISTE edtech conference, where Google introduced a free version of its Gemini AI app for educators, broader access to its video creation tool Google Vids, and a range of new tools for Chromebooks. This move signals Google’s growing commitment to shaping how AI will be used in schools and colleges.
At the heart of the update is Gemini for Education, now available to all users with Google Workspace for Education accounts. The tools allow teachers to brainstorm ideas, create lesson plans, and personalise class content using AI. Teachers will soon also be able to build interactive study guides using their existing materials through Notebook LM, an AI tool designed to help with research and planning. Google says these features aim to support teachers rather than replace them, helping create more engaging and tailored learning experiences for students.
Another standout feature is the introduction of custom AI assistants known as “Gems.” These allow teachers to create AI agents trained specifically on their classroom content. Students can use these agents to get extra support or better understand lessons, turning what has often been unsupervised use of external chatbots like ChatGPT into something designed by educators and built into Google’s system. This shift brings AI assistance under the teacher’s guidance, ensuring that what students are learning aligns with the curriculum.
Google is also expanding its AI-powered video editor, Google Vids, across all education accounts. This tool enables teachers to create instructional videos and gives students a creative way to complete assignments like book reports. Additionally, teachers will get access to new classroom management features, such as the ability to track student progress, view analytics, manage access to tools like Gemini and Notebook LM, and share content directly to student screens using a new feature called Class tools. These updates are designed to make the learning process more efficient and secure, while also giving teachers more control over how AI is used.
Image credit: Google
With concerns growing over students using external AI tools to complete homework or cheat, Google’s updates are part of a broader strategy to bring AI into the classroom in a more responsible and structured way. By embedding AI directly into tools teachers already use, and offering features designed to assist rather than replace human teaching, Google is positioning itself as a leader in the future of AI-powered education.
