Two US senators write letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking 9 questions as company pushes for AI in classrooms

Google wants AI in schools, but two US senators want answers from CEO Sundar Pichai first. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley have written a letter seeking answers from the tech giant, following an investigation into how the company’s AI tools affect schoolchildren. In a letter sent to Pichai, the senators asked what the company knows about the impact of its AI products on children’s mental health and educational development. The senators asked 9 questions from Pichai, while highlighting that “Google is forcing their AI products into classrooms across America, and children are paying the price.” Senators have given November 2 as the deadline for the Search giant to respond.“We write with 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. We write to request information about Google’s promotion of A.I. products in schools and details about the research it has conducted on potential harms to children’s educational and emotional development,” the senators wrote.They claimed that “Google’s push of AI in classrooms appears to have created negative consequences for many students.” Citing an article from Wall Street Journal in which the publication interviewed more than 60 teachers, parents, students and clinicians, the senators highlighted that “test scores on national have declined and many students are increasingly unable to think critically or complete assignments independently after AI was introduced to the classroom.”9 questions Senators asked Google CEO Sundar PichaiGoogle is forcing their A.I. products into classrooms across America, and children are paying the price. We cannot repeat the mistakes of social media platforms where products are pushed onto children putting profit ahead of young peoples’ best interest. In light of this concerning reporting, I request answers to the following questions by November 2nd, 2026:1. In at least one case, Google’s own researchers warned the company about children’s AI usage. What research has Google conducted on the potential of Gemini, AI Overviews AI Mode, and other AI products to cause negative impacts on children’s mental wellbeing? Please provide this research.2. Why has Google set A.I. product integration as the default and, in some cases, made it impossible to disable these features on licensed education devices?3. Have school districts, teachers, or parents raised concerns with Google over children’s academic or emotional reliance on AI? Please describe any record of these concerns and Google’s responses.4. What support has Google provided to school districts who have raised concerns about Google’s AI products negatively impacting students?5. Please describe all promotional programs or offerings from Google that expand AI adoption in schools, including how much money Google has spent on these programs.6. Please share any resources Google has provided to school districts, administrators, and teachers adopting Google’s AI tools, in particular material addressing appropriate use and protecting students’ wellbeing.7. Has Google identified occurrences in which its classroom AI tools encouraged a minor to engage in harmful behavior, emotional dependence, or failed to detect signs of suicidal or self-harm ideation?8. After the publication of a research paper by Google researchers titled “The Ethics of Advanced AI Assistants,” what steps did Google take in response to its findings to limit harmful effects of AI for children?9. Google has stated that it has prioritized youth protections, particularly around emotional dependence and reinforcement of false beliefs. Please describe what steps Google has taken to prevent their A.I. chatbots from engaging in sycophantic or emotional conversations with children, including in light of failures to protect the Maryland student who was hospitalized after developing an intense dependence on Google’s AI.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.