PTC Web Desk: New York City public schools are set to temporarily stop elementary and middle school students from using generative artificial intelligence tools during the coming school year.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the one-year restriction as city officials begin a wider review of how AI is being used by children in classrooms. The move has been described by officials as one of the broadest student AI bans in the United States.

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AI ban to affect around 600,000 students

The temporary policy will apply to students through eighth grade and is expected to affect around 600,000 children in New York City public schools.

The city plans to stop the use of around 40 educational AI tools currently available in classrooms. AI-powered companion chatbots will also be prohibited across all grade levels.

The restriction is aimed at giving officials time to examine whether these technologies are helping students learn or creating problems such as excessive dependence on AI, cheating and reduced face-to-face interaction.

High school students will not face a full AI ban

Students in high school will not be covered by the full restriction. Instead, New York City plans to introduce AI literacy classes twice a year for public high school students. Some students will also take part in pilot programmes where selected AI platforms can be used under teacher supervision.

Teachers will continue to have access to AI tools for certain professional tasks, including lesson planning, scheduling and other administrative work.

What Mayor Zohran Mamdani said

Mamdani said schools should continue to focus on personal interaction and independent thinking. He argued that students need teachers, classmates and direct relationships with educators as they develop important academic and social skills.

The mayor also said schools should apply the same critical thinking to AI that they encourage students to use in other areas of learning.

New York also plans screen time limits

The AI restrictions are part of a larger plan to reduce unnecessary technology use in schools.

New York City is recommending daily screen-time limits of 30 minutes for students in grades three through five and 45 minutes for students in grades six through eight.

The city also plans to review education technology products used in schools and remove tools that officials believe are not essential to learning.

Los Angeles has taken a similar step

New York is not the only major US school district taking a cautious approach to generative AI. Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the country, has also temporarily blocked generative AI tools on student devices while it works on a broader policy.

Across the US, at least 37 states have issued some form of guidance on the use of AI in schools. However, there is still no nationwide standard covering AI literacy or how students should use these tools.