Bolatito Mercy
New York City has announced a ban on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students below high school level, as part of efforts to protect children’s learning, development and mental well-being.
The one-year restriction, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday, affects nearly 600,000 public school students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The move is expected to attract national attention, as New York City operates the largest public school system in the United States.
Under the new policy, only high school students, generally aged 14 and above, will be allowed to use AI tools through limited pilot programmes. They will also receive AI literacy training twice a year to help them understand the technology responsibly.
The ban will also extend to AI-powered companion chatbots created for emotional support, which will not be permitted at any grade level.
Mamdani said technology companies often portray AI in early education as unavoidable and essential, but argued that children require human interaction and guidance to develop properly.
“Children need teachers and human connection in order to learn and grow,” the mayor said, adding that students must build relationships with educators, collaborate with peers and solve problems independently.
However, teachers will still be allowed to use AI tools for tasks such as lesson planning and administrative duties.
A task force comprising students, teachers, parents, elected officials and technology experts will monitor the impact of the policy throughout the 2026–2027 academic year before releasing its findings.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul backed the initiative, saying authorities have a duty to ensure that emerging technologies enhance children’s education rather than disrupt it.
The new restrictions replace an earlier framework introduced in March that permitted students to use AI for research, creative projects and exploration. The previous policy faced criticism from many parents and educators who described it as too relaxed.
Following the backlash, New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels acknowledged that officials had “missed the mark” in communicating the earlier guidelines and said feedback from stakeholders would be considered in developing future policies.
