Google-AI Monopoly Fight — Mamdani Blasts Google for Tying Search to Gemini in NYC Schools (Nov 9, 2026)

Nov 9 2026: Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly accuses Google of using "monopoly power" to force AI products into NYC public schools after reporting that Google told school districts they would lose access to Google Search if they also moved to block Gemini and other Google AI tools. Comes 17 days after NYC DOE's Oct 23 ban on 38+ student-facing generative-AI products (including Gemini, Amira used in 200+ schools, DOE's own Microsoft-built chatbot, HMH Read180, Wordly, Coursemojo, All In Learning, Magma Math). FTC separately raises parallel monopoly concerns per French AI Weekly. Education experts in Inkl press Mamdani from the other direction, arguing DOE AI stance isn't restrictive enough and that mayor is "foisting AI on kids." Positions Mamdani as a Lina Khan-aligned mayor willing to pick platform-level antitrust fights — Khan joined the transition team Nov 6 per Fortune. First substantive Mamdani vs Big Tech fight of post-election phase.