New York to Ban AI Use for Students Through Eighth Grade

New York City’s public schools are set to ban students through eighth grade from using artificial intelligence, or AI, under a new policy expected to take effect next week. The Guardian reported the development.

The largest public school system in the United States serves around 900,000 students. Under the new policy, the use of laptops and tablets in classrooms will also be restricted for students through third grade.

Many teachers and parents have raised concerns about the use of AI in schools. They fear that excessive reliance on the technology could negatively affect children’s mental and intellectual development. Researchers have warned in particular about a growing tendency among students to rely on software instead of developing their own thinking, analysis and reasoning skills, a phenomenon sometimes described as “cognitive surrender.” Concerns have also been raised about the environmental impact of AI technology.

Under the new rules, students will be allowed to use AI on a limited basis from ninth grade, or high school. However, its use will be restricted to specific educational activities designed to help students learn about the technology.

AI-powered “companion chatbots” that claim to provide emotional support will also be banned in schools. Teachers, meanwhile, will be permitted to use AI for tasks such as preparing lesson plans and drafting messages. However, they will not be allowed to use AI to grade students’ assignments or assign marks.

The Education Department has recommended limiting classroom screen time to 45 minutes for middle school students and 30 minutes for elementary school students. However, monitoring how students use AI outside school is expected to be difficult.

New York’s public school system has previously introduced guidelines on the use of AI. In March this year, the department released a framework that used a “traffic light” system to determine when AI could be used for different educational purposes. The policy, however, drew criticism from many teachers and parents, who argued that it gave students too much access to AI.

New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels later acknowledged that the authorities had “made a mistake” in communicating the policy. He also said feedback from parents would be reviewed and incorporated into future policies.

As part of efforts to develop a long-term framework, the Education Department plans to establish a task force comprising teachers, elected representatives, education experts and representatives of teachers’ unions. The task force is expected to submit a report in April next year, which will serve as the basis for developing a long-term policy on AI use in New York City schools.