NYC bans AI use for students until they reach high school

THE NEWS

What happened

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a significant policy shift banning artificial intelligence tools for students in grades K-8 starting the 2026-2027 school year. The ban prohibits AI usage in classrooms, bars teachers from using AI to grade assignments, and restricts companion chatbots across all grade levels. Additionally, individual screens will be banned until third grade, with strict daily limits for middle schoolers. High school students face limited access under a vetted pilot program focused on AI literacy. This move positions NYC as having one of the most restrictive AI policies in the US, prioritizing human connection and critical thinking over early tech integration.

CONTEXT

Why it matters

New York City is setting a new precedent for AI regulation in education. Starting the 2026-2027 school year, students from kindergarten through eighth grade will be banned from using artificial intelligence tools in classrooms. The policy, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, also prohibits teachers from using AI to grade assignments and restricts companion chatbots across all grades. Furthermore, individual screens are banned until third grade, with strict daily limits for middle schoolers. While high school students will have limited access through a vetted pilot program, the district aims to foster critical thinking and human connection before introducing these technologies. This marks one of the most restrictive AI policies in the United States, challenging the tech industry's push for early AI integration.

AT A GLANCE

Key facts

• Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a ban on AI use for students in grades K-8 effective in the 2026-2027 school year.
• The policy prohibits teachers from using AI tools to grade student assignments.
• Companion chatbots are banned across all grades, including those designed for mental support.
• Individual screens will be banned until third grade, with recommended limits of 45 minutes per day for middle schoolers.
• High school students may use AI only in specific instances through a vetted pilot program at up to five classrooms.
• The ban is part of a broader initiative that includes a bell-to-bell ban on personal internet-enabled devices for the 2025-2026 school year.
• Exceptions may be granted for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and specific computer science programs.