- New York City will ban the use of artificial intelligence for students in public schools through eighth grade, a source close to the matter told AFP on Wednesday, confirming US media reports.
- AI use will only be allowed in high school, which begins in the ninth grade in the American school system, and will be limited to specific uses, such as learning about the technology itself.
- The prohibition is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday and will go into effect next week.
- Teachers and parents have warned against the use of AI in schools over concerns about harming children's mental health and cognitive development.
- In 2023, the school system forbade students' use of ChatGPT, though the ban was reversed less than a year later.
- In March, the city published an initial framework using a traffic light system, which allowed students to use AI for research, exploration, and creative projects, sparking fury among parents and teachers.
- Kamar Samuels, the city's schools chancellor, said leaders had 'missed the mark' in communications and would review feedback.
- The department will set up a task force made up of teachers, elected officials, experts, and union representatives to produce a report in April as the basis for New York's AI-in-schools policy.
New York City will implement a ban on the use of artificial intelligence for students in public schools through eighth grade, with limited use permitted in high school starting in ninth grade. This decision, confirmed by a source, is part of a broader overhaul of technology use in the city’s schools, which serve approximately 900,000 students annually.1
The ban is set to be announced and will take effect next week. It follows significant backlash from parents and teachers regarding previous policies that allowed AI for research and creative projects. Many expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of AI on children's mental health and cognitive development, fearing an over-reliance on technology.
The new rules will also prohibit the use of AI “companion chatbots” that offer psychological support. However, teachers will still be allowed to utilize AI for tasks such as preparing lessons and writing messages, but they cannot use it to grade assignments.
In addition to the AI ban, classrooms will restrict students from using laptops or tablets through the third grade. The city’s education department recommends limiting screen time to 45 minutes for middle schoolers and 30 minutes for elementary students. A task force will be established to review feedback and develop future policies, with a report expected in April.
The city’s schools chancellor, Kamar Samuels, acknowledged that previous communications had “missed the mark” and emphasized the importance of incorporating parental feedback into future regulations.10
“The ban follows a March framework that allowed AI for research and creative projects, which drew backlash from parents and teachers. The city will also ban AI 'companion chatbots' and limit screen time to 45 minutes for middle schoolers, with a task force report due in April.”
deccanchronicle.com
The Guardian
