Mamdani expected to announce AI ban in NYC schools for young students

When New York City schools resume next week, a new restriction on the use of artificial intelligence will reportedly be in place for students and teachers. The New York Times reports that a policy scheduled to be announced Wednesday would put an age restriction on students who get to use AI, in addition to individual screen time. The announcement is expected to be made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels later this morning. Under the plan, New York City public schools would impose a one-year pause on students using AI until they get to high school — that accounts for nearly 600,000 young leaners. The mandate would also place restrictions on the use of devices like laptops and tablets, with students from preschool through 2nd grade not being allowed to use them in class. Students in 3rd grade to 8th grade will reportedly have time limits on using laptops. These new rules on technology in the classroom come as the mayor has been quoted as pushing back on the use of AI in schools, saying despite the push from the tech industry, AI-powered early education is not inevitable. Leaders in the Department of Education have reportedly spent months putting together a guidebook on AI in the classroom that includes feedback from lawmakers, tech companies and parents. The schools chancellor has previously said the guardrails would protect the “human connection, curiosity and creativity that help children grow.” Teachers in the city, however, will not have the same restrictions. Under the new policy, they will still be able to use artificial intelligence for things like creating lesson plans but they won’t be allowed to use the tool for grading or crisis management. The AI policies in New York City schools are being seen as some of the most restrictive on technology in the classroom nationwide.