New York City will ban students in public schools through eighth grade from using artificial intelligence under new rules expected to be announced on Wednesday. The policy will restrict AI use among middle school and younger students, while allowing limited applications for high school students beginning in ninth grade, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to AFP.

The move follows growing concerns among parents and teachers about the impact of artificial intelligence on children’s mental health and cognitive development. Environmental concerns linked to AI technology have also contributed to the wider debate over its use in schools. According to The New York Times, the new rules will additionally prohibit AI “companion chatbots” designed to provide psychological or emotional support.

AI use will remain permitted for high school students, but under specific conditions, including educational activities focused on understanding the technology itself. Teachers will continue to be allowed to use AI for certain professional tasks, such as preparing lesson plans and drafting messages. The distinction reflects the city’s attempt to regulate student-facing AI use while retaining some potential benefits of the technology for educators.

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The new policy follows an initial AI framework released by the city’s Education Department in March. That framework used a traffic-light system to determine when students could use AI and permitted applications including research, exploration and creative projects. The approach drew criticism from several parents and teachers who considered the rules too permissive. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels later acknowledged that the city’s communication around the framework had fallen short and indicated that parental feedback would be reviewed.

Monitoring compliance could present a challenge because students can access AI tools outside the school environment, including on personal devices. The Education Department has also recommended limiting classroom screen time to 45 minutes for middle school students in grades six through eight and 30 minutes for elementary school students. The latest restrictions are expected to be followed by a broader policy process involving a task force of teachers, elected officials, experts and union representatives.

The task force is expected to prepare a report in April that will help shape New York City’s longer-term approach to AI in schools. The city’s policies are being closely watched across the United States because its public school system is the country’s largest, with more than 900,000 students enrolled during the 2024-25 school year. The new rules could therefore influence the wider debate over how schools balance emerging AI technology with student safety and educational needs.

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