New York City Mayor Mamdani bans AI tools for 600,000 students.

New York City public schools will ban elementary and middle school students from using generative artificial intelligence tools for the upcoming school year. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the decision on Wednesday, framing it as the most extensive prohibition of its kind in the United States. The one-year moratorium affects around 600,000 students in grades pre-K through eighth, while officials assess how children interact with AI technology.

The ban comes as school districts nationwide grapple with the implications of AI in education. Many are concerned about the impact of generative AI on learning. This decision aligns with a growing trend in education, where districts like Los Angeles Unified have also imposed restrictions on AI tools across all grade levels. Los Angeles has already implemented device bans for students below second grade and established screen-time limits as part of a comprehensive technology policy.

Under New York's new policy, approximately 40 educational AI tools currently in use will be halted, and companion chatbots will be prohibited for all students. However, high school students are exempt from the full ban. They will participate in AI literacy classes twice a year and can use certain AI platforms under teacher supervision. Teachers will still be allowed to utilize AI for lesson planning and administrative tasks.

Mamdani emphasized the importance of human connection in education, stating that children need to engage with teachers and peers to develop essential skills. The policy also includes recommended screen time limits, capping daily usage at 30 minutes for students in grades three to five and 45 minutes for those in grades six to eight. This initiative underscores a broader effort to review educational technology tools and eliminate those deemed nonessential to learning. Reactions from education groups have varied, reflecting the complexity of integrating AI into modern classrooms.