New York City schools ban student use of generative AI through 8th grade
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the one-year moratorium will take effect during the 2026-27 school year and affect nearly 600,000 students.
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New York City public schools will prohibit student use of generative artificial intelligence from 2-K through eighth grade under a new policy announced by city leaders.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the one-year moratorium will take effect during the 2026-27 school year and affect nearly 600,000 students.
Officials described it as the nation's broadest student-facing generative AI policy.
The moratorium bans student-facing generative AI tools for children in 2-K through eighth grade and prohibits companion chatbots across all grade levels.
City officials said the move is designed to prioritize student safety, human instruction and critical thinking.
High school students will still receive AI education through twice-yearly AI literacy and critical thinking lessons.
The city will also allow limited AI pilot programs for a small number of high school classrooms.
Officials said no more than 50,000 high school students, about 5% of the school system, could participate in the pilot programs.
The policy also introduces age-based screen time recommendations.
Students in second grade and below will see restricted one-to-one screen time, while recommended daily limits will be 30 minutes for grades 3 through 5 and 45 minutes for grades 6 through 8.
Teachers will continue to be allowed to use AI tools for instructional planning and operational tasks that meet city standards.
Exceptions will also be permitted for some students with disabilities, multilingual learners and certain career readiness programs.
A coalition of students, educators, parents, elected officials and technology experts will review the policy during the school year and issue recommendations for the future.
