New York City announced on Wednesday that it will ban student use of generative artificial intelligence up to eighth grade for the 2026-27 school year.
The policy, which the mayor's office said is the most expansive student-facing AI ban in the US, will apply to nearly 600,000 students from 2-K, an early childhood education programme for two-year-olds, through to eighth grade, typically age 13 or 14.
“Children need teachers and human connection in order to learn and grow. They need to develop skills alongside their peers, build relationships with educators and wrestle with tough problems on their own,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The ban applies to all software featuring student-facing generative AI.
Teachers will still be allowed to use AI for instructional planning and operational tasks as long as the tools meet New York City Public Schools' safety standards.
Exceptions will also be made for assistive technology used by students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and those taking part in career-readiness programmes such as computer science.
High schooler AI literacy classes
High schoolers will have access to AI literacy classes twice a year, with two 45-minute modules covering what AI is and is not, as well as its potential biases, risks, ethical considerations, and effects on careers and future skills.
The city will also introduce five limited AI pilot programmess for up to 50,000 high school students, with the tools used under the direct supervision of trained educators.
The policy also places limits on students' individual screen time. Screen time will be restricted for students in second grade and below, while the city recommends daily caps of 30 minutes for grades three through five, and 45 minutes for grades six through eight.
A Technology in Schools Coalition comprising students, educators, parents, elected officials, advocates, unions and experts will assess the policy and limited AI pilot programmes during the school year and make recommendations for the city's future approach to AI in schools.
Teachers and parents have warned against the use of AI instructional software in schools over concerns about harming children’s mental health and cognitive development, in particular an abdication of reasoning to software, a phenomenon researchers have dubbed “cognitive surrender”, as well as environmental damage.
New York City operates the largest public school system in the US, enrolling roughly 900,000 students a year. The restrictions come amid a broader debate about the use of generative AI in education and its potential effects on learning, student privacy and classroom relationships.
