New York City Bans AI in Classrooms Through 8th Grade 

New York City bans AI in classrooms through 8th grade as the nation’s largest school district introduces new limits on classroom technology. The one-year moratorium will affect nearly 600,000 public school students from 2K through 8th grade, covering almost two-thirds of the district’s enrollment. 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the New York City AI ban on September 2 with Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. The policy is aimed at protecting students’ critical thinking skills and preserving relationships between students and teachers. The district will also disable AI features in more than 38 previously approved education programs that do not meet its new safety and oversight standards. 

The restrictions come as schools across the United States reconsider the role of generative AI in schools. Los Angeles Unified School District has also moved to restrict student access to generative AI platforms while it reviews safeguards. New York City previously blocked ChatGPT on school devices and networks in 2023 but later reversed that decision. 

Under the new policy, New York City public schools will block companion chatbots along with widely used services such as ChatGPT and Claude across all grades. High school students will still be able to use a set of AI tools that have been approved. They will also take courses that teach thinking about artificial intelligence. 

The New York City AI ban also includes rules on screen time. These rules are based on the grade level of the student. Students with disabilities and English learners will receive exceptions. Teachers can use AI for lesson planning and operational work, but they will not be permitted to use it for grading or student assessments. 

A new Technology in Schools Coalition made up of educators, parents, students, and other stakeholders will study the effects of the policy and recommend changes for future school years. The district also acknowledged that controlling AI use outside school will be difficult, particularly when students use the technology for homework. 

The New York City AI ban gives parents a role in monitoring technology use at home while placing greater responsibility on schools to evaluate digital learning tools. The policy reflects New York City’s broader effort to reduce classroom screen exposure while setting tighter rules for generative AI in schools.