New York City bans student-facing generative AI for elementary and middle schoolers

New York —  New York City is banning the use of generative artificial intelligence for public school students from 2K through 8th grade, part of a larger move to restrict classroom technology in the nation’s largest school district. The one-year moratorium will affect nearly 600,000 public school students, nearly two-thirds of the district’s total enrollment. As … The post Nation’s largest school district bans AI in the classroom through 8th grade appeared first on Egypt Independent.

In a significant move, New York City schools have announced a halt to using generative AI for children from pre-k to eighth grade, covering around 600,000 students. Conversely, high schoolers will engage in AI literacy programs with monitored tests. Teachers are permitted to adopt AI for lesson planning and translation—but not for grading—to nurture students' autonomy and encourage valuable human connections in the classroom.

The ban will last for one year and affect 600,000 students.

New York City Public Schools is banning the use of artificial intelligence in most classrooms for the next year. New York City Councilman Eric Dinowitz joins with more.

NYC Bans AI For Public Elementary, Middle Schools For 2026-2027 Authored by Aaron Gifford via The Epoch Times, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has placed a one-year moratorium on classroom use of generative artificial intelligence tools for pre-K-8 grades, and all public high school students will be required to complete AI awareness refresher courses twice a year. "Just because technology is everywhere, doesn't mean it belongs everywhere," Mamdani said on Sept. 2 during a news conference at Brooklyn Steam Center School, where he was joined by school administrators and state legislators. "We must ask, what helps our children learn? How can we protect their developing minds?" Districtwide, AI functions on 38 ed-tech products will be disabled, while five tools will remain in use for the purpose of career and technical education or professional workforce development programs in grades 9-12. Exceptions will be made for students with disabilities or those still learning English, Mamdani said. Ahead of the 2027-2028 school year, administrators, teachers, students, and parents will evaluate the results of the moratorium and determine whether to amend it or continue it as is. The mayor criticized ed-tech companies for putting profits ahead of students, saying he has yet to see one study showing that AI benefits elementary and middle school students. "[Students] need to know what it feels like to not know the answer," he said. "This is what learning is all about." The mandatory high school AI awareness courses will run 45 minutes. All high school students must complete one twice per year, or once per semester, according to Kamar Samuels, school district chancellor. For elementary and middle school students, he said, the elimination of AI use provides more space for strong instruction, discussion, play, creativity, "and the chance to work through hard problems instead of outsourcing [that work] to a machine." Samuels said the one-to-one laptop per student policy has been amended to exclude students below third grade, and classroom screen-time recommendations by grade level are established. Officials did not disclose the names of tools that will be disabled and those that will be preserved, but they did provide examples of allowed exemptions. Eye-tracking software is allowed to assist children with cerebral palsy, for example, while language interpretation applications will serve students who are still learning English. New York state Assemblyman Bobby Carroll said he has drafted legislation that would impose similar restrictions on schools statewide. New York state Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon said overreliance on AI among young people has reached the point at which they don't know the difference between critical thinking and getting answers from an online browsing device. New York City schools resume classes on Sept. 10. Ahead of the coming school year, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called for a ban on digital learning environments for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade, and said AI chatbots should not be available to any students younger than 16. Tyler Durden Thu, 09/03/2026 - 13:20

New York City's Department of Education is announcing a new policy that bans generative AI tools for students from early childhood through eighth grade, along with new limits on classroom device use. The post New York City Schools Bans Student AI Use Through 8th Grade, Limit Screentime in Classroom appeared first on Breitbart.

All high schoolers will still be taught about AI literacy

New York City is imposing a one-year moratorium on the use of AI in public school classrooms from 2-K through eighth grade. Kelly Clancy, founder and lead organizer of Parents for AI Caution in Educational Spaces, shares her thoughts.

New York City’s public schools will temporarily ban elementary and middle school students from using generative artificial intelligence tools during the upcoming school year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday.The one-year moratorium — part of a broader assessment of how children in the nation’s largest school system interact with the technology — will apply to “all software that uses student-facing generative AI” for students through eighth grade, the mayor’s office said. It described the policy as the most expansive prohibition in the country.At the same time, the city will establish twice-yearly AI literacy classes for all public high school students. It will also launch pilot programs allowing some high school students to use a handful of AI platforms under an educator’s supervision. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all grades, officials said.The approach comes as students, parents and schools across the country attempt to navigate the use of AI tools in the classroom and elsewhere. Schools are working to teach children how to incorporate the technology while preventing them from relying too heavily on it or using it to cheat.“Each day when our children come to school, we teach them to ask questions, to challenge assumptions, to interrogate the premise, to ask why. When it comes to AI in our schools, we hold an obligation to do the same,” Mamdani, a Democrat, said at a news conference.The Los Angeles school district, where students returned to classrooms in mid-August, is temporarily blocking access to generative AI tools on student devices across all grades.The Los Angeles Unified School District said Wednesday that the ban will remain in place across the country’s second-largest school district as officials develop a student AI policy during the school year.In June, LAUSD became the first major school district to eliminate the use of school-issued devices for its youngest students as part of a sweeping screen time policy. The policy banned devices before second grade, set screen time limits for all grades and blocked YouTube and other social media sites during the school day.In New York, the city will also recommend screen time limits for students, suggesting a daily cap of 30 minutes for students in grades three through five and 45 minutes for those in grades six through eight. Teachers will be allowed to use AI for instructional planning and operational tasks.At least 37 states have official AI guidance that schools can use as a blueprint, though there is no single definition of AI literacy or consensus on how it should be taught. New York state last year approved a ban on students’ use of cellphones in schools.City education officials will also conduct a broad review of all technology tools used in the school system and eliminate those deemed nonessential to learning.Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers in New York, praised the screen time limits but said the city’s AI policy “leaves many questions unanswered,” including how the Education Department “will be more aggressive in demanding the products it purchases have AI safeguards.”Josh Golin, executive director of the children’s advocacy group Fairplay, said he would have preferred a longer moratorium and more time between the announcement and the start of the school year.“A year to evaluate is not nearly enough time,” he said, adding that the onus should be on AI platforms “to demonstrate that their products are effective at teaching kids, that they’re safe, that they’re not displacing face-to-face interaction and that they’re not leading to rampant cheating.”New York City public school students are scheduled to return to classrooms next week. Associated Press writer Jocelyn Gecker contributed to this report. —Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press

New York City has announced a one-year moratorium on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students in public elementary and middle schools, marking one of the most restrictive measures adopted by a US school district over the use of the technology in classrooms.The policy comes as education authorities across the US grapple with rules governing AI in schools. Other districts, including Los Angeles, are reviewing their policies on the technology.VIDEO | New York City, USA's largest school district, bans AI for students through 8th grade.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says, "I am proud to announce New York City's first-ever comprehensive AI policy for our public schools, City Hall's answer to those questions. It is… pic.twitter.com/ciswUxDefd— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 3, 2026 Around 40 Educational Tools To Be HaltedNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Wednesday that schools would stop the current use of about 40 educational tools in classrooms."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," Mamdani said at a press conference.The policy will cover about 600,000 public school students through eighth grade. High school students, however, will be permitted to use AI in certain cases.Teachers will also be allowed to use AI for lesson planning and administrative tasks such as scheduling, according to a statement from the city.Google, Anthropic And Microsoft Yet To CommentMajor AI developers Google, Anthropic and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.The move by the country's largest school district is the most restrictive of its kind in the US so far, according to the report.ChatGPT Was Temporarily Banned In 2022New York City public schools had previously imposed a temporary ban on ChatGPT shortly after its launch in 2022.The restriction was subsequently lifted and replaced with a customised AI-powered teaching assistant, according to Microsoft, which has a stake in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

In a groundbreaking move, New York City has prohibited elementary and middle school students from using artificial intelligence tools. This decision is aimed at safeguarding essential human interactions and fostering educational growth among younger learners. The reliance on teachers and peers is crucial for children’s development. As this policy unfolds, it prompts parents to ponder how to effectively integrate AI in their children's education while emphasizing critical thinking skills.

Nearly 600,000 public school students will be barred from using AI, while high schoolers can access it only through limited pilot programmes.

New York City is barring elementary and middle school students from using generative AI tools this school year. Meanwhile AI literacy classes and supervised pilot programs will be rolled out for high schoolers.

Why is New York City banning AI use in public schools through Class

New York: New York City's public schools will temporarily ban students in elementary and middle schools from using artificial intelligence tools in the upcoming school year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday.Mayor Mamdani Holds Press Conference to Make Education Announcement with Chancellor Samuels https://t.co/0aCQyz37yj— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) September 2, 2026 The one-year moratorium -- part of a wider assessment of how children in the nation's largest school district interact with the technology -- will include “all software that uses student-facing generative AI” for students in grades through 8th grade, the mayor's office said. It described the policy as the most expansive prohibition in the country.At the same time, the city is establishing twice-yearly AI literacy classes for all public high school students, and it will set up pilots for some high schoolers to introduce them to a handful of AI platforms under the supervision of an educator. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all grades, officials said.VIDEO | New York City, USA's largest school district, bans AI for students through 8th grade.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says, "I am proud to announce New York City's first-ever comprehensive AI policy for our public schools, City Hall's answer to those questions. It is… pic.twitter.com/ciswUxDefd— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 3, 2026 The approach comes as students, parents and schools across the country are attempting to navigate the use of AI tools in the classroom and elsewhere, moving to teach kids how to incorporate the technology while also stopping them from overly relying on it or using it to cheat.“Each day when our children come to school, we teach them to ask questions, to challenge assumptions, to interrogate the premise, to ask why. When it comes to AI in our schools, we hold an obligation to do the same," Mamdani, a Democrat, said at a news conference.Over 12,000 IIT Aspirants Petition Government For Third JEE Advanced Attempt, Urge Government To Revise Existing Attempt Rules The city will also recommend screen time limits for students, suggesting a cap of 30 minutes a day for students in grades three to five and 45 minutes for students between 6th and 8th grade. Teachers will be allowed to use AI for instructional planning and operational tasks.At least 37 states have official AI guidance that schools can use as a blueprint, though there isn't a single definition of what AI literacy means or how it should be taught. New York state last year approved a ban on students' use of cellphones in schools.City education officials will also perform a wide review of all technology tools used in its school system and will eliminate certain tools if they are determined to be not essential to learning.Today, the DOE and the City announced updated policies on student-facing generative AI use in schools, alongside a new screen time policy. Swipe to see a statement from UFT President Michael Mulgrew. pic.twitter.com/v4qArJORF1— UFT (@UFT) September 2, 2026 Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers in New York, praised the screen time limits but said the city's AI policy “leaves many questions unanswered,” including details on how the education department "will be more aggressive in demanding the products it purchases have AI safeguards." “If we are going to be serious, let's start at the source, rather than expect school communities or individual educators to figure out after the fact if what their school uses fits the new policy,” he said.New York City's public school students are scheduled to return to the classroom next week.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Only high school students, typically aged 14 and above, will be permitted to use artificial intelligence in limited pilot programmes

New York City Public Schools has imposed a one-year ban on student-facing generative AI for children through eighth grade, affecting nearly 600,000 students in the largest school district in the United States.

New York City schools are placing strict limits on artificial intelligence use for students. Younger students face the most significant restrictions, with AI banned until high school. High school students will have limited AI access for specific educational purposes. Teachers can use AI for lesson planning and translation tasks. Centrally approved instructional programs and assistive technologies are exempt from these new rules.

The policy bans the use of AI among preschool through grade 8 students including "all software that uses student-facing generative AI." Companion chatbots are prohibited for all grades.

The policy bans the use of AI among preschool through grade 8 students including "all software that uses student-facing generative AI." Companion chatbots are prohibited for all grades.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday announced a one-year moratorium on the use of generative artificial intelligence among public school students from 2K to Class 8. The decision is likely to affect 600,000 students.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s public schools will temporarily ban elementary and middle school students from using generative artificial intelligence tools during the upcoming school year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday. The one-year moratorium — part of a broader assessment of how children in the nation’s largest school system interact with the technology — will apply to “all software that uses student-facing generative AI” for students through eighth grade, the mayor’s office said. It described the policy as the most expansive prohibition in the country. At the same time, the city will establish twice-yearly AI literacy classes for all public high school students. It will also launch pilot programs allowing some high school students to use a handful of AI platforms under an educator’s supervision. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all grades, officials said. The approach comes as students, parents and schools across the country attempt to navigate the use of AI tools in the classroom and elsewhere. Schools are working to teach children how to i

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a 1-year moratorium on the use of AI in elementary and middle school classrooms on Wednesday. Danielle Giunta, first deputy chancellor of NYC public schools, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.

New York City is imposing a one-year moratorium on generative AI for pupils from 2-K through eighth grade, removing student-facing AI software and companion chatbots for around 600,000 children. Norway banned generative AI in its primary schools in June, and the EU AI Act regulates AI used on pupils rather than AI used by them. […] This story continues at The Next Web

The one-year restriction will be closely watched across the US as the city's school board is by far the largest in the country.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters on Wednesday that schools would halt the current use of about 40 educational tools in New York City classrooms.

New York City's public schools will temporarily ban elementary and middle school students from using artificial intelligence tools during the upcoming school year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday.

Students pre-K through 8th grade will face a one-year blanket ban while high school students will have limited AI use available.

New York City Public Schools is banning generative AI for students from pre-K through eighth grade for the 2026-27 school year, affecting more than half a million students in the nation's largest school district. ABC News reports: In a statement to ABC News, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that the city is implementing a moratorium on generative AI for students in pre-school or 2-K through eighth grade and will spend the next year "studying the impacts of this technology." Mamdani wrote in part, "the tech industry wants us to believe that A.I.-powered early education is not only inevitable, but necessary." "We do not see it that way," he added. [...] The district said it is implementing the most expansive AI moratorium in the nation, eliminating software that uses student-facing AI and banning companion chatbots. The city's AI moratorium does not apply to high school students. The district said it will offer twice-yearly AI literacy classes designed to help high school students "think critically" about the technology before they start to "rely" on it. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

NYC public schools are taking a year without generative AI tools.

The city is also putting limits on screen time and making AI literacy courses available to high-schoolers.

New York City’s public school system will ban artificial intelligence for students through the 8th grade during the upcoming school year

The largest school district in the US is banning artificial intelligence tools and restricting screen time for elementary and middle school students in the upcoming school year.

Teachers and parents have warned against AI use in schools over concerns of ‘cognitive surrender’New York City will ban students’ use of artificial intelligence in public schools through eighth grade, typically age 13 or 14. The prohibition is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday and will go into effect next week.The change is part of a sweeping overhaul of the use of technology in the US’s largest school district, which enrolls roughly 900,000 students a year. In another policy shift, classrooms will keep students off laptops or tablets through the third grade, age nine or 10. The city’s public school technology policies are closely watched by the rest of the United States. Continue reading...

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a new policy today that will ban younger schoolchildren from using AI in classrooms. The one-year moratorium, effective in the 2026-2027 school year, will impact about 600,000 public school students in 2-K through eighth grade and is being introduced alongside additional limits on digital devices and a […]

Eighth-grade pupils in New York will not be allowed to use AI tools, including chatbots, in schools.

The new rules follow an initial framework published in March, which used a traffic light system to determine which tasks AI would be used for

New York City Public Schools is set to introduce a sweeping ban on student-facing artificial intelligence tools for pupils from 2-K through eighth grade during the 2026-2027 academic year. The post New York City schools ban AI for students from pre-K to Grade 8 appeared first on Vanguard News.