Google is trying to get college students hooked on AI with a free year of Gemini Advanced

Google offers college students a free year of its Google One AI Premium plan, including Gemini Advanced and other AI tools. This normally costs $20 monthly and provides access to features like NotebookLM and Whisk. The plan also includes 2TB of Google Drive storage. Students need a .edu email address and must sign up by June 30, 2025. The offer extends the plan's validity until July 2026, requiring student verification then. Google aims to normalize AI use among students, potentially impacting critical thinking skills. The free storage alone makes the offer attractive, irrespective of AI usage. The company's motivation is partly to promote its AI services. While beneficial for storage, ethical concerns exist about AI's impact on education. The offer presents a strategic move by Google to integrate AI into student workflows.