NYC DOE Generative AI Moratorium (K-8, 2026-27)
New York City Public Schools — Generative AI Moratorium for Grades Pre-K through 8 (Mayor Mamdani, SY 2026-27)
New York City, NY · NYC DOE Chancellor Regulation — Generative AI Moratorium (Sept. 2, 2026); announced by Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- June 30, 2027
- Applies to
- NYC Department of Education, schools, teachers, and educational technology vendors serving NYC public schools
- Enforced by
- NYC Department of Education / Chancellor
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels imposed a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for grades pre-K (2-K) through 8th grade across New York City public schools, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. Affects approximately 600,000 students — nearly two-thirds of the city's 900,000-student enrollment. Companion chatbots prohibited across all grades. Over 38 previously-allowed programs discontinued or disabled. Five limited AI pilots allowed for up to 50,000 high school students in general education; all high schoolers gain twice-yearly AI literacy classes. A new Technology in Schools Coalition will study outcomes and publish recommendations. The nation's largest school district becomes the most restrictive on student AI use in the country.
Who is protected: NYC public school students in grades pre-K (2-K) through 8th grade (~600,000 students); all K-12 students protected against companion chatbots
Legal detail
NYC Department of Education Chancellor Regulation (2026-09-02): one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for grades 2-K through 8 (effective 2026-2027 school year). Companion chatbots banned across all grades K-12. 38+ previously-approved programs discontinued where AI components do not meet new safety/oversight standards. High school exception: five limited AI pilots for max 50,000 general-education students; twice-yearly AI literacy classes for all high schoolers. Teacher use permitted for lesson planning, administrative tasks; prohibited for grading and crisis management. Oversight: Technology in Schools Coalition (students, educators, parent leaders, elected officials, advocates, union partners, experts) to publish recommendations for future school years. Described by the Mayor's Office as 'the most expansive student-facing AI moratorium in the nation.' Supersedes the March 2026 preliminary 'traffic light' framework guidance.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | New York City, NY |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | September 2, 2026 |
| Citation | NYC DOE Chancellor Regulation — Generative AI Moratorium (Sept. 2, 2026); announced by Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Administrative enforcement; technology vendors non-compliant with new standards lose NYC approval |
| Topics | education AI · children's online safety · automated decision-making |
| Agency page | Guidance on Artificial Intelligence — NYC Public Schools (updated September 2026) |
More AI rules in New York City, NY
- NYC AI rental listing disclosure proposal (Mamdani, 2026) · Proposed / pending
- NYC schools generative AI moratorium through 8th grade (2026) · In effect
- NYC LL144 (original draft) · Repealed / replaced
- NYC Biometric Identifier Law (LL3) · In effect
- NYC Algorithmic Tools Reporting (LL35) · In effect
- NYC AI Action Plan · In effect
Related education AI rules elsewhere
- Blanchester OH schools AI policy EDEC (Jun. 29, 2026) · In effect
- Portland Public Schools genAI pause (Jun. 23, 2026) · In effect
- CA AB 2148 no-AI school employees (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- FCPS formal generative AI restrictions — elementary ban, secondary authorization required · In effect
- SF5231 · Expired
- HF5125 · Expired
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