Google researchers warned of potential cognitive and emotional harm
On Wednesday morning, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) and Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai seeking information about what Google knows regarding the effects of its AI products on children’s mental health and educational development. The letter cited a September Wall Street Journal investigation that reported many students had become emotionally and academically dependent on Google’s AI tools in American classrooms. The senators requested a response by Nov. 2.
In the letter, Blumenthal and Hawley expressed “grave concern” that Google’s “aggressive push of A.I. products to children in schools is threatening the academic success and overall wellbeing of an entire generation.” They wrote, “Google is forcing their A.I. products into classrooms across America, and children are paying the price,” and added, “We cannot repeat the mistakes of social media platforms where products are pushed onto children putting profit ahead of young peoples’ best interest.”
The senators asked Pichai for information on several aspects of Google’s technology and requested a response by Nov. 2.
The Wall Street Journal’s September investigation drew on interviews with more than 60 teachers, school officials, parents, children and clinicians. The investigation reported that Google’s ubiquitous artificial intelligence tools in American classrooms had led many students to become emotionally and academically dependent on AI.
The investigation also reported that Google’s own researchers have warned that the technology can pose elevated risks to children and has the potential for cognitive and emotional harm. That reporting was based on interviews with current and former Google employees and a review of Google research papers.
A Google spokesperson pointed to a previous company statement: “teachers around the world use our technology every day because it solves real classroom challenges and helps improve learning outcomes. We undertake detailed public research and build our products in partnership with educators based on rigorous learning science, while giving teachers and administrators control.”
Google also said it focuses on encouraging critical thinking and has specific protections for users under 18, including protections intended to prevent emotional dependence.
Beyond the senators’ inquiry, The Wall Street Journal reported that falling test scores have fueled a growing backlash to school screen time across the political spectrum. The newspaper said parent opposition within that backlash has led some districts, including school districts in New York City and Los Angeles, to impose moratoriums on student use of AI in the classroom.
The Trump Federal Communications Commission opened a separate inquiry in June into a decades-old school internet subsidy program. The agency sought public comment on how to better protect children from excessive screen time on federally funded school networks.