New York City Mayor Zohan Mamdani has introduced a temporary ban on generative artificial intelligence in public elementary and middle schools for the upcoming academic year. The policy impacts approximately 600,000 students up to age 14, restricting access to AI-powered algorithms such as ChatGPT during classroom instruction.
According to details reported by BBC Newsround, the decision targets younger pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade, emphasizing human-led instruction and independent problem-solving over automated technology. As part of the new directives, city educational authorities are also setting maximum daily screen time recommendations: third to fifth graders will be limited to 30 minutes of classroom screen use, while sixth to eighth graders will be capped at 45 minutes.
The restriction extends beyond standard generative text and image tools. Students across all grade levels, including high schoolers, are prohibited from using conversational companion chatbots. However, high school students will not face a blanket ban on all AI tools; instead, they will participate in mandatory AI literacy training twice a year while city officials pilot specialized educational programs.
Explaining the rationale, Mayor Mamdani stressed that children require direct social interaction and guidance from educators to build critical thinking skills. Comparing AI access to age-appropriate learning tasks, the Mayor noted that while younger children lack the maturity to handle complex digital tools safely, older students can gradually learn responsible use. He emphasized that the city intends to adopt new technology only when it serves students’ developmental needs rather than commercial interests.
Municipal authorities specified that the policy remains flexible and subject to ongoing monitoring throughout the school year. Officials plan to evaluate classroom outcomes and adjust guidelines based on what proves effective in practice.