NYC's Department of Education Places Strict Limits On AI Tool Usage in Classrooms

IBL News | New York

New York City’s Department of Education is placing strict limits on AI tools and digital devices in its school system — the nation’s largest — particularly for elementary and middle-school students, setting one of the most restrictive technology policies in the country for classrooms.

During the current school year, younger students will be barred from using AI tools, and no individual screens will be allowed until third grade. And teachers will not be able to ask AI to grade assignments. Companion chatbots that offer emotional and mental support will be banned in all grades.

In total, around 600,000 students in the city’s schools — that is, about two-thirds of all students in New York City public schools — will not be allowed to use AI until they enter high school, and even then, it will be permitted only in specific cases.

The department is also recommending caps on screen time, such as limiting middle schoolers to 45 minutes per day.

These new rules will be in place for at least the upcoming school year and could be extended or amended after that.

The new rules will not apply to “centrally approved instructional programs” across all grades, such as e-books and coding software, according to a department summary of the guidelines obtained by The New York Times. It will also not apply to some student tests or tools to help students with disabilities and those still learning English.

New York City teachers will not face the same set of restrictions. They can use AI in their jobs for purposes such as crafting lesson plans, translating materials, and writing messages. But there are limits: AI cannot be consulted to determine whether a student should graduate, for instance, or to decide how to counsel a student in crisis.