New York City bans AI use for students up to eighth grade

New York City has imposed a one-year ban on artificial intelligence (AI) use by public school students through eighth grade, citing concerns over children’s education and mental health.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the policy on Wednesday (September 2), which will affect around 600,000 students in the city’s public schools.

Under the policy, students through grade eight will be barred from using AI tools, while high school students will be allowed to use AI in a limited number of pilot programmes. High school students will also receive AI literacy classes twice a year.

AI-powered “companion chatbots” designed specifically to provide mental or emotional support will remain prohibited for students of all grades.

Mamdani said technology companies were promoting the idea that AI-based education for young children was both inevitable and necessary, but New York City did not accept that premise.

He said children need teachers and human interaction to learn and develop, including building skills with classmates, forming relationships with teachers and learning to solve difficult problems independently.

The restrictions apply to students, while teachers will still be allowed to use AI for lesson planning and administrative tasks.

The policy will be evaluated throughout the 2026-27 academic year by a task force comprising students, teachers, parents, elected representatives and technology industry experts. The group will later publish its findings.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also said Wednesday that everyone has a responsibility to ensure rapidly evolving technology supports, rather than hinders, children’s education and development.