New York City to ban student AI tools for grades 2-K through 8th and limit classroom screen time

New York City is set to implement a new policy banning student-facing artificial intelligence tools for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and recommending limits on screen time for older elementary and middle school students. High schoolers will have restricted AI access, potentially for literacy and career readiness programs, with five pilot programs planned. Teachers will be permitted to use approved AI tools for instructional tasks like lesson planning and translation, but not for grading or counseling. This represents a more aggressive stance on AI and screen time in schools, a move that education leaders nationwide are expected to observe.