New York City is putting new limits on artificial intelligence in public schools, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani announcing a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for children from 2-K through eighth grade.
The policy will take effect during the 2026-2027 school year and is part of what Mamdani described as the city's first comprehensive artificial intelligence policy for public schools.
Mamdani said younger children need to develop through traditional classroom instruction and human interaction before relying on AI tools.
He compared the approach to age restrictions on kitchen activities, saying a 6-year-old may be too young to safely slice an onion, fry an egg or use a stove, while a 16-year-old may be mature enough to learn those skills.
The same principle, he said, should apply to artificial intelligence.
"Children need their teachers and human connection in order to learn and in order to grow," Mamdani said.
High school students to get supervised AI training
While generative AI will be restricted for younger students, New York City plans to take a different approach with high schoolers.
NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the city will pilot five vetted AI education programs under teacher supervision. AI literacy coursework will also become mandatory for all high school students.
The programs are intended to help students understand and use the technology while keeping educators involved in the learning process.
Mamdani said the one-year moratorium will be monitored and evaluated before the city decides whether to extend or expand it.
He also said New York City wants to prioritize AI tools that demonstrate clear educational benefits rather than those developed primarily for the financial interests of technology companies.
"We will embrace new technology, but only when it serves our students," Mamdani said.
The policy comes as schools and educators across the United States continue to grapple with how to incorporate rapidly advancing generative AI into classrooms while addressing concerns over student learning, academic integrity and appropriate use by children.
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