New York City Bans AI Use for Students Until High School
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a one-year moratorium on the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, effective during the 2026-2027 school year. The policy prohibits students from using AI tools until they reach high school and bans companion chatbots across all grade levels. Approximately 600,000 public school students will be affected by this restriction. The Department of Education also limits digital device usage for younger children, banning individual screens in grades K-2 and imposing a daily screen time cap of 45 minutes for middle schoolers. While teachers are still allowed to use AI for lesson planning, exceptions can be made for students with disabilities or those learning multiple languages. A limited pilot program will test vetted AI tools in select high school classrooms, focusing on subjects like English and math while ensuring student engagement remains central. The policy aligns with broader concerns about the impact of technology on young learners.
Topics: AI education policy New York City schools