New York City bans students in public schools from using artificial intelligence AI until they reach high school, amid growing concerns that excessive reliance on the technology could affect children’s mental and cognitive development.
The policy, expected to be announced on Wednesday and take effect next week, will prohibit AI use for students through eighth grade, typically covering children aged 13 to 14.
The sweeping technology overhaul will affect the US’s largest school district, which serves about 900,000 students annually.
Under the new rules, students will also be kept off laptops and tablets in classrooms through third grade, when they are typically nine or 10.
Teachers and parents have increasingly raised concerns about AI powered educational tools, particularly the possibility of children relying on software instead of developing their own reasoning abilities. Researchers have described the phenomenon as cognitive surrender.
AI will only be permitted from ninth grade, when high school begins, and even then, its use will be restricted to specific purposes, including learning about the technology itself. AI companion chatbots designed to provide psychological support will also be prohibited.
Teachers may use AI to prepare lessons and draft messages, but they will not be allowed to use it to grade students’ assignments.
The education department recommends limiting screen time to 45 minutes per class for middle school students and 30 minutes for elementary pupils.
The latest policy follows backlash over an earlier 2026 framework that allowed students to use AI for research, exploration and creative projects. Many parents and teachers described the approach as too lenient.
Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels acknowledged the criticism, saying education leaders had missed the mark in communicating the policy and that his office would review parents’ feedback.
A taskforce comprising teachers, elected officials, experts and union representatives will also be established to develop recommendations for the city’s long term AI in schools policy.
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