A majority of New York City Council members have called on Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels to halt the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in the city’s public schools, citing concerns about its potential impact on student learning and mental health. In a letter sent Tuesday, 29 of the city’s 51 council members urged a pause on the deployment of A.I. technologies until comprehensive safeguards and regulations can be established through public and expert engagement.

The council members’ letter highlighted a range of issues, including the adverse effects A.I. may have on students’ cognitive development, critical thinking abilities, and privacy protections. Their concerns align with growing opposition from parents throughout the city who have voiced unease not only about A.I. but also about increasing screen time in schools. Some advocates have called for a complete moratorium on A.I. use within the educational system.

Mayor Mamdani has so far refrained from explicitly endorsing a pause on A.I. but has acknowledged parental worries regarding the role of technology in classrooms and indicated support for reducing screen time for students. Meanwhile, Chancellor Samuels and the New York City Department of Education have taken a more measured approach compared to other districts nationwide, where some schools have rapidly integrated A.I.-based tools or even developed A.I.-themed curriculums.

Following early caution, New York City temporarily blocked access to ChatGPT when it first emerged but has gradually seen expanded use of A.I. applications by educators and students. The Department of Education is currently finalizing a set of guidelines, expected this summer, to assist teachers in responsibly incorporating A.I. into their workflow. A preliminary version released in March classified appropriate and prohibited uses—for example, allowing A.I. to aid in lesson planning while forbidding its use for grading assignments.

The guideline draft drew more than 6,000 public comments, many critical of A.I., reflecting widespread concern across diverse communities. This pushback contributed to the Education Department’s decision in April to delay plans for a specialized A.I.-focused high school slated to open next year in Manhattan.

Parents have expressed frustration over limited transparency regarding which A.I. tools are employed in schools and the data these applications may collect. They also worry that the broader integration of technology, including activities like watching YouTube videos or playing educational video games during recess, undermines efforts to limit students’ screen exposure at home.

“Chancellor Samuels has a chance right now to come out and have some really strong regulation on technology,” said Kailee Graham, a Manhattan parent. “We have lost control and need to bring books back.”

In previous statements, Chancellor Samuels emphasized the necessity of prompt action given A.I.’s existing presence in classrooms. He stressed the importance of establishing safeguards to build family trust while acknowledging a shift in public sentiment since his appointment in January, describing A.I. as “the most invasive technology that we’ve seen.” He also recognized the strong skepticism many parents hold toward technology companies amid this evolving debate.