New York City public schools will ban student-facing generative artificial intelligence from 2-K through eighth grade under a one-year moratorium announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels.
The policy will affect nearly 600,000 pupils when the new school year begins on September 10, with the city also introducing tighter limits on individual screen use.
Children in preschool through second grade will not be given personal laptops or tablets for classroom learning. Individual screen time will be recommended at no more than 30 minutes a day for pupils in grades three to five, and 45 minutes for those in grades six to eight. ([brooklyn.news12.com](https://brooklyn.news12.com/2026/09/02/new-york-city-schools-ban-student-use-of-generative-ai-through-8th-grade/28efOuOYLUhDPqwI0K6HOg))
The restrictions cover chatbots, AI tutors and other generative tools used directly by pupils. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all year groups, while high school students will receive limited access under new rules.
Older pupils are expected to receive twice-yearly lessons on AI literacy and critical thinking. The city will also permit a small number of high-school pilot schemes, potentially involving up to 50,000 students, or about 5 per cent of the school system. ([brooklyn.news12.com](https://brooklyn.news12.com/2026/09/02/new-york-city-schools-ban-student-use-of-generative-ai-through-8th-grade/28efOuOYLUhDPqwI0K6HOg))
New York City schools impose strict AI limits
Teachers will still be able to use approved AI tools for lesson planning, translating materials and drafting communications. They will not be permitted to use the technology for grading, behaviour monitoring, counselling pupils in crisis or preparing special education plans. ([chalkbeat.org](https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026/09/02/nyc-schools-to-set-ai-policy-ban-screen-time-limits/))
Some exemptions will apply, including for certain pupils with disabilities, multilingual learners and computer-based assessments. A task force made up of students, parents, educators, elected officials and technology specialists will review the policy during the school year and make recommendations on its future. ([brooklyn.news12.com](https://brooklyn.news12.com/2026/09/02/new-york-city-schools-ban-student-use-of-generative-ai-through-8th-grade/28efOuOYLUhDPqwI0K6HOg))
“Just because technology is everywhere, doesn’t mean it belongs everywhere,” Mr Mamdani said. He added that schools had a duty to consider how AI might affect children’s developing minds while preparing them for a world in which the technology would become increasingly widespread.
The announcement marks a sharp change from the preliminary guidance issued by New York City Public Schools in March, which focused on privacy, academic integrity and the safe use of AI by staff rather than imposing blanket age-based restrictions. The city later told schools to pause software purchases while the final policy was prepared. ([chalkbeat.org](https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026/09/02/nyc-schools-to-set-ai-policy-ban-screen-time-limits/))
