New York City schools ban AI use through middle school

New York City Public Schools will ban AI use for more than half a million students in the 2026-2027 academic year, applying the moratorium to students in 2-K through eighth grade. The district said the policy will remove student-facing AI software and companion chatbots as classes resume next week.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city will spend the next year studying the impacts of generative AI and rejected the idea that AI-powered early education is inevitable or necessary. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the district wants to rebuild critical thinking skills and ensure technology supports learning rather than drives it.

The moratorium does not apply to high school students, who will receive twice-yearly AI literacy classes intended to help them think critically before relying on the technology. The policy follows last year’s bell-to-bell cell phone restrictions and comes amid broader debate over responsible classroom AI use, screen time and safeguards for children.