New York City has announced a ban on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for students in public schools from kindergarten through eighth grade. According to a source familiar with the decision, the restriction will apply citywide and aims to regulate the integration of AI technologies in the classroom.

Under the new policy, AI applications will only be permitted for high school students starting in ninth grade. Even then, usage will be confined to particular educational purposes, primarily focused on teaching students about AI technology rather than allowing broad application in coursework or assignments.

The decision reflects growing concerns among educators and administrators about the potential impacts of AI on learning, including issues related to academic integrity and the preparedness of younger students to engage responsibly with advanced technologies. By limiting AI to older students and specific instructional contexts, New York City’s education authorities seek to balance technological innovation with the development of foundational skills.

Details on how the policy will be implemented or enforced have not yet been released. The announcement follows a broader national conversation about the role of AI in education and efforts to establish guidelines that safeguard academic standards while embracing technological progress.