Summary
- The ban affects students from 2-K through eighth grade and will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year.
- Companion chatbots are prohibited across all grades, including high school.
- Selected AI tools will be piloted in a limited number of classes at high schools.
In a significant move, New York City has announced a one-year prohibition on the use of generative AI tools for students from 2-K to eighth grade, as stated by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, who described it as the most extensive policy of its kind nationwide.
This moratorium will impact nearly 600,000 students, amounting to two-thirds of the city's student population, and is set to commence with the 2026-27 academic year. All generative AI software that directly interacts with students is banned, and companion chatbots will not be allowed in any grade, including high school.
Mamdani expressed concerns about the tech industry's push for AI integration in early education, asserting, "We do not see it that way," emphasizing the importance of teachers and human connections in the learning process.
Promoting AI Literacy
During the upcoming year, the city plans to examine the effects of AI, taking a cautious stance on the technology. Approximately 50,000 high school students, or about 5% of the total student body, will be permitted to use approved AI tools in a limited number of classes. For instance, the text analysis tool Quill will be implemented in English classes for a maximum of 15 minutes weekly, while the math coaching platform Edia will be used for 20 minutes. Intel AI-Ready Schools will conduct one weekly session focused on semester-long projects. Brisk Teaching and Playlab will fill the remaining slots, with Playlab limited to two assignments per grading period.
Additionally, all high school students will participate in two 45-minute AI literacy sessions each year, discussing the technology's nature, its biases, associated risks, ethical considerations, and potential career impacts.
Teachers are still allowed to utilize AI for lesson planning and operational tasks, provided these tools adhere to the city's safety guidelines. Exceptions also apply to assistive technologies for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and programs aimed at career readiness, such as computer science courses.
Restrictions on screen time will also be implemented. Students in second grade and below will have limited one-to-one device access, with recommended daily caps of 30 minutes for grades three to five and 45 minutes for grades six to eight.
Every technological tool utilized in city schools will undergo a review process, and those deemed non-essential to learning will be discontinued. A new coalition comprising students, educators, parents, unions, advocates, and elected officials will evaluate the moratorium and the pilot programs, subsequently releasing recommendations for future implementation.
Julie Samuels, head of the trade organization Tech:NYC and a member of the coalition, praised the initiative for promoting career readiness and suggested that access be expanded beyond one hour weekly in the future, referencing a report indicating that New York City now boasts more tech jobs than the Bay Area.
Classes will resume on September 10.