In a significant announcement made today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, alongside Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels, has placed a moratorium on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, targeting student interaction specifically. This new policy, designed to impact nearly 600,000 public school students — representing about two-thirds of the city's student population — will go into effect in the 2026-2027 school year. Under this initiative, the use of student-facing generative AI will be halted for children from 2-K to 8th grade for one year. At the same time, specialized AI critical thinking modules will be introduced for high school students, and a limited number of AI pilot programs will be conducted in select classrooms, accompanied by age-appropriate screen time restrictions.
Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of face-to-face interactions and traditional learning experiences, stating, “Children require the guidance of teachers and connection with their peers to develop essential skills and deep relationships.” He expressed skepticism towards the prevailing narrative that suggests AI-driven early education is both inevitable and essential. The mayor firmly believes that focusing on human elements in education is vital and that the upcoming year will be dedicated to assessing the implications of AI technology in schools.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul also supported the policy, underscoring the state’s commitment to ensuring that evolving technology enhances, rather than hinders, children’s educational experiences. She commended the city's initiative to keep students engaged in learning and development rather than mere screen interactions.
Chancellor Samuels, who is also a parent, echoed this sentiment, stating the primary mission is to safeguard effective learning practices. He acknowledged the importance of protecting students' developmental opportunities related to curiosity and creativity, asserting that innovation in education does not solely equate to increased technology use.
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams highlighted the necessary role of city officials in ensuring that technology promotes rather than detracts from students' growth. He regarded the ban on student-facing AI for younger learners as a positive move, advocating for ongoing scrutiny of emerging educational technologies.
This new policy stands out as one of the largest student-facing AI restrictions in the US, prohibiting all generative AI applications for grades 2-K through 8. Additionally, all companion chatbots will not be permitted in classrooms.
During the academic year 2026-27, a new initiative known as the Technology in Schools Coalition will convene. This group, composed of students, educators, parents, elected officials, and experts, will evaluate the moratorium's effects and the results of the limited AI pilots. They are set to produce recommendations for future educational practices.
For approximately 50,000 high school students in general education, five AI pilot projects will be introduced, amounting to about 5% of the total public school enrollment. All high schoolers will participate in biannual AI literacy courses aimed at fostering critical thinking regarding AI technologies.
These two 45-minute modules will cover the fundamentals of AI and discuss related biases, ethical dilemmas, and implications for future career paths.
The pilot projects will involve a maximum of five classes per high school, under the supervision of trained educators with a focus on utilizing vetted AI tools. The selected pilots adhere to rigorous safety and data privacy standards and emphasize teacher-led instruction, ensuring that students remain at the center of their learning.
The pilot projects include:
- **Quill**: A tool for English language arts that supports close reading and text analysis, allocated for 15 minutes of use per week. - **Edia**: A math-focused tool that offers coaching and prompts for reasoning explanations, planned for 20 minutes weekly. - **Brisk Teaching**: A resource for guided practice through teacher-provided materials, set to be used for 10 to 20 minutes one to two times per week. - **Playlab**: An application intended for engagement across subjects, restricted to a maximum of two assignments per marking period to evaluate AI outputs. - **Intel AI-Ready Schools**: This tool centers on identifying community issues and developing AI-based solutions through extensive projects, allowing for one class period each week.
Teachers will still be permitted to incorporate AI into instructional planning and administrative tasks if these tools comply with New York City Public Schools safety regulations. Exceptions will apply for assistive technologies used by students with special needs or those in career readiness programs.
In this new framework, students in 2nd grade and below will face restricted one-on-one screen time, with recommended limits of 30 minutes a day for grades 3-5 and 45 minutes for grades 6-8.
All technological tools employed in New York City Public Schools will undergo thorough evaluations to ensure they are essential for learning, with accountability measures established for vendor safety and transparency standards. The review process will include ethics checks, learning design evaluations, past research, and ongoing user feedback gathering.
Assemblymember Robert Carroll, who leads the Education Technology Committee, praised the thoughtful approach taken by Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels, advocating for evidence-based practices in early education that prioritize foundational skills over experimental tech implementations.
Several other stakeholders, including education committee chairs and state legislators, expressed approval of the policies, acknowledging the need for careful management of technology in educational contexts while highlighting the importance of preparing students for a tech-driven future. Overall, this comprehensive policy aims to create a balanced and responsible approach to integrating technology into education, safeguarding student welfare while equipping them for future opportunities.
