New York City is set to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students in public schools through the eighth grade, according to reports confirmed by a source familiar with the decision.
The move means students up to about 13 years old will no longer be allowed to use AI tools in school, amid growing concerns about the technology’s impact on learning, mental health and child development.
Under the new policy, AI use will only be permitted in high school, which begins in the ninth grade in the United States. Even then, its use will be restricted to specific educational purposes, including learning about AI itself.
According to reports, AI companion chatbots that provide psychological support will also be prohibited.
The decision follows concerns raised by teachers and parents, many of whom have argued that unrestricted AI use could affect students’ cognitive development, reduce critical thinking skills and increase screen dependence.
While students face new restrictions, teachers will still be allowed to use AI for professional tasks such as lesson preparation, administrative work and drafting messages.
The policy comes months after New York City’s education department released an AI framework in March that allowed students to use AI for research, exploration and creative projects.
That framework attracted criticism from many parents and educators who believed it gave students too much freedom to use the technology.
Following the backlash, New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels acknowledged that education leaders had “missed the mark” in communicating the policy and promised a review of stakeholder feedback.
As part of the next phase, the city’s education department plans to establish a task force comprising teachers, elected officials, experts and union representatives.
The group is expected to produce a report in April that will help shape the future of AI use in New York City’s public schools.
The development is attracting attention beyond New York because the city operates the largest public school system in the United States, serving more than 900,000 students during the 2024–2025 academic year.
The decision adds to a growing global debate over how schools should balance the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence with concerns about its effect on learning, creativity and student wellbeing.
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