New York City to ban student AI use in public schools until high school

New York City has imposed a one-year ban on the use of artificial intelligence by students until they reach high school, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This ban will affect nearly 600,000 public school pupils aged eight to 13, making it the largest school district in the US to implement such a restriction. Only high school students, typically aged 14 and above, will be permitted to use AI in limited pilot programs. Additionally, these students will receive biannual AI literacy classes.

Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of human connection and teacher-led learning for children's education and mental health. He stated that children require teachers and peer interactions to develop skills, form relationships with educators, and tackle problems independently. Teachers will still be allowed to use AI for lesson planning and administrative tasks.

The ban follows an initial framework introduced in March, which allowed students to use AI for research, exploration, and creative projects. This earlier approach sparked criticism from parents and teachers who deemed it too permissive. In response, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels expressed that the previous communication missed the mark, promising to review feedback for future improvements.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul echoed Mamdani's sentiment, highlighting the city's responsibility to ensure that advancing technology supports children's learning without hindering it. A task force consisting of students, teachers, parents, elected officials, and industry experts will assess the moratorium's impact during the 2026-2027 school year before reporting its findings.