New York City has enacted a ban on the use of generative AI tools by students in public schools up to the eighth grade. This decision, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, introduces a one-year moratorium in the city’s vast educational system, which is the largest in the United States. The ban aims to prioritise human interaction in early education, as emphasised by the mayor in his official statement.

According to Mamdani, the focus must be on fostering a learning environment enriched by teachers and peer interactions. He underscored the importance of developing emotional and social skills as part of children’s education, asserting that reliance on AI technology could undermine these critical components of growth.

This policy is notably set to affect approximately 600,000 public school students, representing around two-thirds of the total enrolment within the district for the 2026-27 academic year.

Details of the AI Ban

The newly introduced policy prohibits all student-facing generative AI applications for those in 2-K through eighth grade. This includes systems that could function as AI tutors. The decision appears aligned with concerns from educators and parents who believe that early education should not incorporate AI, as stated by the Mayor.

Furthermore, the district plans to phase out over 38 previously approved AI programmes that do not comply with new safety guidelines. This will encompass various chatbots, including widely used platforms like ChatGPT and Clade. The ban extends to all grades, disallowing the use of companion chatbots, thereby maintaining a clear boundary on AI’s role in early education.

While high school students are not entirely excluded from AI exposure, they will only be permitted limited usage. Approximately 50,000 students in general education will participate in five controlled AI pilot programmes. These initiatives will take place under the supervision of trained educators in a maximum of five classes per school, utilising carefully vetted tools that adhere to safety and data privacy regulations.

Provisions for High Schools and Teachers

Despite the limitations imposed on younger students, high school curricula will include AI literacy. Each student will partake in two annual sessions exploring AI concepts, risks, and ethical considerations. These modules aim to equip students with a foundational understanding of AI, highlighting its implications in various careers and future skills.

Teachers will still be allowed to employ AI for educational planning and administrative tasks, provided the tools are compliant with the New York City Public Schools safety standards. However, using AI for grading or evaluating student performance will not be permitted in order to ensure integrity in assessments.

Certain exceptions will also apply for specialised groups, including students with disabilities, those learning English, and participants in vocational programmes, allowing them to utilise assistive technologies as needed.

Revised Screen-Time Regulations

In conjunction with the AI regulations, New York City is revising its screen-time policies. Students in second grade and below will face restrictions on one-to-one screen usage. For older students in third to fifth grades, a cap of 30 minutes per day will be enforced, while sixth to eighth graders will be limited to 45 minutes.

A Technology in Schools Coalition will oversee the assessment of the moratorium and pilot programmes throughout the 2026-27 school year. This group will consist of students, educators, and various stakeholders, culminating in recommendations for future educational practices.

The recent announcement follows a previous decision to restrict access to ChatGPT in 2023, an action that was later overturned. The ongoing debate around AI’s role in education continues, with recent studies illustrating mixed results regarding its impact on student learning outcomes.

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