Today Google announced a new package of AI tools specifically designed teachers and school leader. These tools combine the power of Google Gemini with data privacy protections and unique features for teachers.
Joining me to discuss Gemini for Education is Vivek Chachcha, product manager for AI tools within Google Workspace for Education.
If you want to know what AI looks like with your favorite Google products like Docs, Slides, and Google Classroom this episode is for you!
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Introducing Gemini for Google Workspace for Education
Google is not new to the field of AI. They have been an “AI First” company since 2016, but AI features for education customers have been released at a much slower and more measured pace than Google’s consumer products.
Today Google is hoping to change that by introducing “Gemini for Google Workspace for Education,” a suite of AI powered tools for teachers and administrators.
This AI suite of tools has many similarities to Google’s business AI package with discounted pricing and a few special features that look promising.
Gemini for Education Pricing and features
There are three tiers available for Gemini for Google Workspace:
- Gemini for Education (Free) – available for all Google Workspace customers at no additional charge. Users can chat with Gemini by visiting gemini.google.com. IT admins can opt in to a special privacy agreement that guarantees that conversations will not be used for training or marketing purposes.
- Gemini Education Add-on ($20/user/month) – includes access to Gemin features for Gmail, Drive, Slides and more. Limited to 1000 uses/user/month.
- Gemini Education PLUS ($30/user/month) – includes all of the features of the Gemini add-on with no monthly usage limit. Also includes AI powered features for Google Meet and AI data-loss prevention policies for IT admins.
Google is also offering a special 20% discount for schools that sign up for one of the Gemini premium plans before August 2024. Click here for details.
Both paid tiers offer flexible licensing with no minimum purchase. Google’s Gemini for Education ad-on is available for any EDU domain (Fundamentals, Plus, teaching & learning, etc).
Special AI features for Education
I had the chance to ask Vivek if there are any special features specifically designed for schools…and there are! Listen to our conversation to learn about an interesting new feature that can be used to “talk” to a textbook or a verified data set.
Data privacy protection
One of the core elements of Gemini for Education is data privacy controls. IT admins can opt in to a special AI data agreement that will prevent data and queries from being used for marketing or training purposes.
“The data entered into Gemini is not reviewed by anyone, used for advertising purposes or training artificial intelligence models, or shared with other users or institutions”
This data privacy agreement is offered to all Education Workspace domains and can be controlled from the Google Admin console.
The Gemini Era has Arrived!
According to Vivek, this is just the beginning of AI-powered tools for education customers. Google is thinking very carefully about student access to AI tools and will work with teachers and school leaders to design student-focused products that are safe and secure.
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