NYC Bans Generative AI for 600,000 Students Through 8th Grade and Disables AI in 38 Already-Approved Programs

NYC Mayor's Office / CNN / Chalkbeat·high signalXBlueskyLinkedInCopy link

Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced on September 2 a one-year generative AI moratorium covering 2K through 8th grade in the nation's largest school district, affecting nearly 600,000 students, about two-thirds of enrollment. The city will discontinue or disable the AI components of more than 38 previously permitted programs that fail its new safety and oversight standards, and bars laptops and tablets in class from preschool through 2nd grade. Teachers may still use AI for lesson planning but not for grading or crisis management; high schoolers get twice-yearly AI literacy classes plus supervised pilot access to a few platforms.