Ahead of the new school session for 2026-27, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a one year ban on use of Generative AI for students from K2- 8th grade in schools across the city, while criticizing the “tech industry” for trying to push artificial intelligence in elementary education.
In a press conference on September 2, Mayor Mamdani announced the launch of New York City AI Policy, calling it the most comprehensive of its kind anywhere in U.S.
“It (AI policy) begins with a simple principle- children need their teachers and human connection in order to learn and grow and they need to develop skills alongside their peers, build relationships with their teachers and wrestle with tough problems on their own,” said Mamdani.
Attacking the tech industry including AI companies for trying to push AI in elementary education as an “inevitable necessity,”, Mamdani said “We do not see it that way. I have yet to see a study showing that AI is beneficial for students in elementary and middle schools, with the exception of course of the research sponsored by the very corporations that stand to profit.”
The AI policy launched in accordance with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) will be in effect from September 10 as NY schools open for 2026-27 session. According to the AI policy, screen time has also been banned for 2K to 2nd grade students while restricted time for students of younger grades.
Suggesting that the policy is not completely banning AI but restricting unnecessary AI, the NYCPS said it has been introduced after feedbacks received from families, educators, students, and other stakeholders, including through our spring 2026 public engagement process
“(NYCPS) is taking a cautious, developmentally appropriate approach to student-facing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and routine individual screen use. Younger students will have stronger limits. High school students will have limited, guided opportunities to learn about and use generative AI for specific approved purposes,” read a statement from NYCPS.
For teachers and other school staff, AI use has been allowed for instructional planning and operational tasks, but there has been prohibition on the use of AI for “grading, behavioural monitoring, or for placement, promotion, graduation and other decisions about students.”
Also Read: New York Becomes First U.S. State to Impose AI Data Center Moratorium
