Mamdani Imposes One-Year Moratorium on Generative AI in NYC Schools
New York City will bar generative AI for students in 2-K through eighth grade for the 2026-27 school year, affecting nearly 600,000 students and making it the broadest such policy in the country. High school students will have limited access to vetted AI tools in only a handful of classes, with strict caps on use time and assignments. All high schoolers will also complete two AI literacy modules each year on basics, bias, risks, ethics, and career impacts. Teachers may still use AI for lesson planning and administrative work if tools meet city safety standards. Exceptions remain for assistive technology, multilingual learners, and some career-readiness programs. The city is also tightening screen-time limits for younger grades and will review all school technology for mission-critical value. A new coalition of stakeholders will evaluate the moratorium and pilot programs during the yearlong pause.
