New York City Public Schools has announced another delay in issuing its final guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms, citing ongoing community feedback and evolving considerations around the technology. Education officials confirmed the postponement during a City Council hearing on Wednesday, where concerns about the rapid integration of AI tools in schools were raised by both advocates and elected representatives.
The school system initially introduced preliminary AI guidance in March, followed by a 45-day public comment period that concluded in early May. Over 6,400 responses were submitted through a citywide survey, supplemented by input from parents, advocacy groups, and school board meetings. Many called for a two-year moratorium on generative AI use in schools, while nearly 30 of the 51 council members formally requested an immediate pause.
Danielle Giunta, deputy chief of staff to Chancellor Kamar Samuels, explained that responses to the initial guidance had prompted a reassessment of the school system’s approach. “We are not racing into a playbook,” she said, noting that feedback has taken the process “in new directions” and emphasizing the importance of developing a more comprehensive and thoughtful framework. Giunta assured that clearer guidelines would be provided before the new year.
Current plans include a survey of principals and superintendents to determine which AI applications are currently being deployed in classrooms. Officials also intend to create an AI “scorecard” to evaluate educational tools, beginning with those used by teachers and eventually expanding to student-facing software. This evaluation aims to assess not only data privacy but also educational effectiveness and potential bias.
Despite these efforts, some council members expressed frustration over the lack of clarity and speed in the school system’s response. Carmen De La Rosa, chair of the Committee on Technology, highlighted ongoing uncertainties about how AI is being introduced and regulated in schools. Similarly, Eric Dinowitz, chair of the Committee of Education, relayed concerns from principals who feel they are “building the plane as they’re flying it,” lacking sufficient guidance in managing AI integration.
Others, like Councilwoman Virginia Maloney, underscored the necessity of balancing caution with timely action, warning that AI’s rapid development outpaces the current pace of policy adjustments. “While we are slowing down, AI development is not slowing down,” she said, stressing the need to prepare students for a workforce increasingly influenced by AI technologies.
Education officials have indicated that the forthcoming guidance will address the developmental appropriateness of AI tools for different grade levels and strengthen the review process to better evaluate both risks and benefits. The final playbook, initially expected in June, remains in progress as officials deliberate how best to incorporate diverse perspectives and responsibly manage AI use in New York City schools.