New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a one-year moratorium on generative AI use in public schools for students from 2-K through Class 8. The policy is expected to cover around 600,000 students, representing nearly two-thirds of the city’s public school population. The move comes as AI becomes increasingly embedded in education and everyday life, prompting New York City to take a more cautious approach to how younger students interact with the technology.
NYC’s Generative AI Moratorium Takes Effect in 2026 #
New York City Mayor [Zohran Mamdani ](/culture/112965/zohran-mamdani-announces-free-broadway-tickets-for-students-speaks-bengali-in-viral-video)has announced a one-year moratorium on generative AI for public school students from 2-K through Class 8, beginning with the 2026–27 academic year. The policy will require the education department to remove or switch off AI features in more than 38 previously approved programs that fail to meet the city’s updated safety and oversight requirements. The initiative is designed to protect students’ ability to think independently and preserve meaningful relationships between children and teachers.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that public schools will adopt new restrictions on artificial intelligence and classroom screen time when students return next week. The plan would AI use for students until high school, while also limiting the use of…
— CBS News (@CBSNews)[pic.twitter.com/2gNvH0BFZw][September 2, 2026]
What Will Change for AI Use in NYC Schools? #
The AI restrictions are part of a wider effort to reduce the role of technology in classrooms. High school students will receive AI-focused critical-thinking lessons twice a year, while only a limited number of schools will participate in controlled AI trials. The city also plans to introduce screen-time limits tailored to students’ ages. Teachers can continue using AI for lesson preparation and other administrative work, but the technology will not be permitted for grading or evaluating students.
New Coalition Will Review NYC’s AI Ban #
The city plans to use the year-long to assess how generative AI affects learning, safety and classroom interactions. A new Technology in Schools Coalition, bringing together educators, parents, students and other stakeholders, will monitor the policy and help shape recommendations for future academic years. The move reflects growing concerns across the US that unrestricted screen and AI use could interfere with children’s learning, development and well-being.
NYC Had Previously Banned ChatGPT in Schools #
New York City’s latest restrictions build on an earlier attempt to control AI in classrooms. The education department blocked ChatGPT on school networks and devices in 2023, although that decision was later reversed. Mamdani’s office now describes the new policy as the country’s most expansive set of restrictions on AI use in schools. The announcement has also received support from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who said technology should help children learn rather than distract them from education. ALSO SEE: