New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a one-year moratorium on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students in the city’s public elementary and secondary schools. This marks the latest move by officials to formulate policies regarding the use of new technology in classrooms. News agency Reuters reported the development. This measure by New York is the strictest taken in the United States to date; however, several other school districts, including Los Angeles, have indicated they are reviewing their policies on AI usage.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters on Wednesday that there would be a pause on the use of approximately 40 educational technology tools currently employed in the city’s classrooms. At a press conference, Mamdani stated that children require interaction with teachers and other people to learn and grow. They need to develop skills alongside their classmates, build relationships with teachers, and attempt to solve complex problems on their own. Major AI technology companies—Google, Anthropic, and Microsoft—did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.
This policy will affect approximately 600,000 public school students up to the eighth grade. However, high school students will be permitted to use AI in specific instances. City authorities stated that teachers would still be able to utilize AI for tasks such as creating lesson plans and schedules. Shortly after the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, New York City public schools had temporarily banned its use. That ban was later lifted and replaced by the introduction of the city’s own AI-powered educational support system. According to Microsoft, the company is a key partner of OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
