Google’s Classroom Takeover (Education)

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• Gemini in Classroom: Google is launching Gemini in Classroom, a free AI suite now available to all Google Workspace for Education accounts. The suite introduces over 30 new AI-powered features, allowing teachers to brainstorm ideas, generate lesson plans, and personalize content for students using AI.

• Custom AI “Gems”: Teachers can create custom versions of the Gemini AI—nicknamed “Gems”—that act as subject-matter experts for their classes. These Gems are essentially AI chatbots trained on the teacher’s classroom materials, providing students with tailored support and explanations on difficult topics.

• Class tools for Chromebooks: Google also introduced a new Class tools teaching mode for managed Chromebooks. This mode allows educators to share content directly to students’ screens and even broadcast instructions with real-time captions, so students can read along or translate as needed. To help keep pupils focused, teachers can activate a “focus” mode that restricts web browsing to specific tabs during lessons.

My Take

The education sector has been surprisingly slow to adopt AI tools compared to other industries, despite AI’s obvious potential for personalized learning. Google’s approach of giving teachers control over AI customization—rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions—seems like the right move. I expect we’ll see a wave of similar announcements from other tech giants once they realize education might be AI’s most transformative use case. On a personal note, one of my main focus areas last year was building a hyper-personalized learning platform. This field is fascinating, and the advancements are out of this world—from automatic course content generation and custom teaching tones to instant creation of voice and video materials. Making rich educational content on the spot is easier than ever, and I’m eager to see classrooms finally leveraging these capabilities.

On the broader impact of Google’s AI announcements this year

In my recent article, “What Google I/O 2025 Really Means for AI Founders,” I highlighted how Google’s latest suite of AI models, including Gemini 2.5 Pro and Project Mariner, are not just technological showpieces—they’re practical tools that enable educators and builders alike to create next-level, personalized learning experiences. The push toward agentic AI and tools like Gemini represents a shift from passive chatbots to proactive, reliable digital assistants that can help teachers plan, personalize, and even automate classroom workflows.

Beyond core model improvements, Google’s focus on accessibility and lower entry barriers is transformative for classrooms: “The AI ‘engine’ at your disposal just got a serious upgrade in both IQ and reliability—that can translate to more ambitious ideas making it off the whiteboard and into reality,” as I wrote in the I/O recap.

For students and lifelong learners, my article “Why Students Can’t Afford to Ignore Google AI Studio” urges everyone to take advantage of the free, cutting-edge generative AI tools available right now—from Gemini to Google AI Studio. “It’s a playground for experimenting with the world’s most advanced generative AI models… Whether you’re working on a school project or exploring a new idea, this platform gives you everything you need for free. The best part? You don’t need any fancy hardware or expensive software licenses. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to learn.”

In both teaching and learning, Google’s new tools aren’t just saving time—they’re lowering barriers, making cutting-edge capabilities accessible to everyone in education.

The pace of change in AI and education isn’t slowing down—it’s multiplying. As Google and other leaders unleash new tools, the biggest winners will be those who act, experiment, and help shape what comes next.

I believe being “first” isn’t about being first to know—it’s about being first to do. This week, challenge yourself (and your team) to try one new AI-powered feature, set up a custom Gem or ChatGPT project.

Have questions, insights, or success stories? Hit reply — I love hearing from fellow builders on the front lines. And if this briefing sparked an idea, forward it to someone who’d benefit from the edge.

Stay curious, keep moving first,
— Dr Hernani Costa

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