Eighth grade

New York City's public school system, the nation's largest with roughly 600,000 students through 8th grade, will impose a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI tools for that age group starting in the upcoming school year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced. Officials called it the most expansive such ban in the country, part of a broader review of how children interact with the technology. Companion chatbots will be banned across all grades, and the education department will audit school technology tools, eliminating those deemed nonessential. The move echoes a similar temporary block on generative AI tools imposed by the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest, while it develops its own student AI policy.

High schoolers will get twice-yearly AI literacy classes and supervised pilots with select AI platforms, while younger students remain barred except for centrally approved tools like coding software and supports for students with disabilities and English learners. The city also recommended screen-time caps: 30 minutes daily for grades 3-5 and 45 minutes for grades 6-8. Teachers may still use AI for planning and administrative tasks. The teachers' union welcomed the screen-time limits but said the policy leaves questions unanswered about vetting AI safeguards in purchased software. A children's advocacy group called the one-year review period too short, saying AI platforms should bear the burden of proving their products are safe and effective before use in classrooms.