New York City Bans Generative AI in Elementary and Middle Schools
New York City's public school system is set to implement a sweeping ban on the use of generative AI for students in pre-K through eighth grade, a policy that will affect approximately 600,000 students — about two-thirds of the district's total enrollment. The measure, announced by the Department of Education, marks one of the most significant restrictions on AI in education among the nation's largest school districts.
The policy, first reported by the New York Daily News and confirmed by UPI and Politico Europe, prohibits students in 2-K through eighth grade from using educational software that relies on generative AI, including instructional programs and AI tutors. The ban also extends to individual devices in classrooms for preschool and early elementary grades, and the guidelines recommend no more than 30 minutes of individual device use for students in third through fifth grade, and 45 minutes for middle school students, according to officials.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended the decision, saying, "The tech industry wants us to believe that AI-powered early education is not only inevitable, but necessary. We do not see it that way." The mayor added that the district will implement a moratorium on generative AI while it studies the technology's effects over the next year.
The policy includes several exceptions. AI will be permitted for "centrally approved instructional programs," including coding software, and for tools that assist students with disabilities and English language learners. Additionally, AI chatbots are banned in all grades, a restriction that goes beyond the elementary and middle school prohibition.
For high school students, AI use will be "restricted," with allowances for AI literacy, career and certification programs, and five approved pilot programs in select schools. According to official slides shared during briefings, all AI use must be coupled with teacher supervision, and the necessity for students to retain ownership of their thinking and work. "Pilot tools will not replace teachers," the slides state.
Delayed Rollout and Community Pressure
The policy arrives months later than originally planned, a delay that school officials attributed to pressure from parents and teachers who pushed back against the initial timeline. A first draft of the AI guidance was released in March, with a final policy initially due in June. At a City Council hearing, school officials conceded they would miss their own deadline but promised a final policy before the first day of school, according to the Daily News.
The draft guidance, which employed a "traffic light" framework to categorise AI tools, drew criticism from Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, who acknowledged the school system "missed the mark" with the initial proposal.
Advocacy has played a significant role in shaping the policy. The AI Moratorium (AIM) for NYC Schools Coalition has been urging Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels to issue a two-year moratorium on AI in schools. An online petition calling for such a moratorium gathered approximately 5,000 signatures, and a majority of City Council members signed a letter in support of an immediate pause, as reported by the Daily News.
High School and Coalition Plans
As the city prepares to implement the ban, officials are also planning to form a coalition of parents, students, teachers, union representatives, and experts to help shape future AI policy. New York City Council education chair Eric Dinowitz expressed support for the direction of the policy, saying it was "clear" the school system was trying to implement feedback from families, advocates, and elected officials, though he noted that questions remain about the details of the plan.
The policy comes just over a week before the new school year begins, and it reflects a broader national debate about the role of AI in classrooms. Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed openness to screen time limits but has said she wants to consult teachers and experts before enacting any statewide measures. The state's largest teachers union passed a resolution at the end of May calling for limits on screen time and AI, according to Politico Europe.