New York City is implementing a ban on students' use of artificial intelligence in public schools up to and including eighth grade, which typically covers ages 13 or 14. The announcement of this prohibition is scheduled for today, Wednesday, 2 September 2026, with the new rules coming into effect next week.
This change is part of a broader overhaul of technology use within the city's public school district, which serves approximately 900,000 students annually. Additionally, a new policy will prevent students in classrooms from using laptops or tablets through the third grade, typically ages nine or ten.
Teachers and parents have expressed concerns regarding the use of AI instructional software in schools, citing potential harm to children's mental health and cognitive development. Specific worries include a phenomenon dubbed “cognitive surrender,” where reasoning is abdicated to software, and environmental damage.
AI use will only be permitted in high school, starting from ninth grade, and even then, it will be restricted to specific applications like learning about the technology itself. AI “companion chatbots” designed for psychological support will also be banned. While teachers are allowed to use AI for tasks such as lesson preparation or writing messages, they are forbidden from using it to grade assignments.