Mamdani imposes one-year AI ban for most NYC students

New York City has announced a one-year ban on the use of artificial intelligence by students in public elementary and middle school, marking one of the most restrictive AI policies introduced by a major US school district, according to agency reports.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Wednesday that schools would halt the use of around 40 AI-powered educational tools across classrooms. The policy will affect about 600,000 public school students through eighth grade.“Children need teachers and human connection in order to learn and grow,” Mamdani said, stressing the importance of students developing skills, building relationships with educators and tackling difficult problems independently.
High school students will still be permitted to use AI in certain cases, while teachers can use the technology for lesson planning, scheduling and other administrative tasks, according to the city.
The move comes as school districts across the US grapple with how to regulate AI in classrooms. Los Angeles and other districts are also reviewing their AI policies.New York City schools had previously imposed a temporary ban on ChatGPT shortly after its launch in 2022. The restriction was later lifted and replaced with a customised AI-powered teaching assistant, according to Microsoft, which is a part-owner of ChatGPT maker OpenAI.Google, Anthropic and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest policy.