New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a major new policy restricting the use of artificial intelligence in public schools. Starting in the 2026–27 school year, students from 2-K through 8th grade will be prohibited from using generative AI tools for one year.
The policy is expected to affect nearly 600,000 students, roughly two-thirds of New York City's public school enrollment.
Mamdani said the decision is aimed at ensuring that technology supports students rather than replacing essential human interaction and learning. He stressed that the city is not rejecting new technology but wants to ensure it is introduced responsibly.
Under the new policy, student-facing AI tools and companion chatbots will be restricted for younger students while educators, parents, experts and elected officials study the impact of AI on children and recommend future steps.
High school students, however, will be introduced to AI through education rather than a blanket ban. All high school students will receive twice-yearly AI literacy lessons covering topics such as AI bias, ethics, responsible use and critical thinking. A limited number of high school classrooms will also be allowed to participate in closely monitored AI pilot programs.
Teachers will still be permitted to use AI for lesson planning and administrative tasks, provided the tools meet the city's safety standards.
The administration is also introducing new screen-time guidelines. One-to-one device use will be restricted for the youngest students, while daily screen-time recommendations include 30 minutes for grades 3–5 and 45 minutes for grades 6–8.
Mamdani said the move is necessary to protect human connection in classrooms and ensure children develop problem-solving and social skills through interaction with teachers and classmates.
The new restrictions come amid growing concerns among parents, educators and lawmakers about the impact of AI and screen-based learning on children. Parent advocacy groups have called for stronger safeguards, while more than half of the New York City Council supported calls to limit expanded AI use in classrooms.
The policy follows New York City's broader effort to reduce students' dependence on digital devices, including the city's bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions introduced during the previous school year.
Mamdani has argued that AI-powered early education should not be treated as inevitable or necessary, saying the city should prioritize human learning, critical thinking and meaningful classroom interaction.
