NYC schools generative AI moratorium through 8th grade (2026)

New York City Public Schools — One-Year Moratorium on Student Use of Generative AI and Companion Chatbots from 2-K Through Eighth Grade (September 2, 2026)
New York City, NY · New York City Public Schools — generative AI moratorium for grades 2-K through 8 (announced September 2, 2026, effective school year 2026-27)

Status
In effect
Expires
September 2, 2027
Applies to
New York City Public Schools staff and school leaders; edtech vendors supplying student-facing generative AI tools or companion chatbots to NYC schools
Enforced by
New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) / Office of the Chancellor

On September 2, 2026 New York City announced a one-year ban on student use of generative artificial intelligence in its public schools from 2-K through eighth grade. It is the broadest generative AI moratorium adopted by any school system in the United States, and because New York City runs the country's largest school district it reaches roughly 600,000 students — about two-thirds of the district's enrollment. Student-facing AI tools and companion chatbots are prohibited for those grades while a coalition of educators, parents, experts and elected officials studies what the technology does to children and recommends what should happen next. The policy is not a blanket prohibition. There are carve-outs for students with disabilities and multilingual learners, and for settings such as career readiness programs and computer science. High school is treated differently again: public high schoolers will take two AI critical thinking classes during the 2026-27 school year, and a small number of high school classrooms will be allowed to use AI pilot platforms under a teacher's direct supervision. The same announcement set new limits on classroom screen time. The distinction worth holding onto is that the district paused AI use by young students while requiring older students to study AI — a restriction paired with a literacy requirement rather than a simple ban.

Who is protected: New York City public school students in grades 2-K through 8 (approximately 600,000 children), and their families

Legal detail

New York City Public Schools — citywide generative AI moratorium announced September 2, 2026 by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels, operative for the 2026-27 school year. PROHIBITED: student use of generative AI tools and companion chatbots in grades 2-K through 8. DURATION: one year, pending recommendations from a convened coalition of educators, parents, experts and elected officials studying the technology's impact. REACH: approximately 600,000 students, roughly two-thirds of NYC public school enrollment; NYC is the largest school district in the United States, which is why this measure is treated nationally as a template. EXCEPTIONS: students with disabilities; multilingual learners; environments involving career readiness programs such as computer science. HIGH SCHOOL TRACK (not a ban): two AI critical thinking courses for public high schoolers during 2026-27, plus a small number of high school classrooms with access to AI pilot platforms under direct teacher supervision. COMPANION MEASURE: classroom screen time limits announced at the same time. INSTRUMENT CLASS: an executive/administrative district policy, not a statute or council ordinance — it can be revised by the Chancellor or a successor administration without legislative action, and that is the principal limit on its durability. Edtech vendors selling student-facing generative AI into the district are the practical compliance population.

Key facts

JurisdictionNew York City, NY
LevelCity / local
StrengthStronger
EnactedSeptember 2, 2026
CitationNew York City Public Schools — generative AI moratorium for grades 2-K through 8 (announced September 2, 2026, effective school year 2026-27)
Private right of actionNo, agency enforcement only
PenaltiesStudent-facing generative AI tools and companion chatbots may not be used in the covered grades; district procurement and classroom use are governed accordingly
Topicseducation AI · children's online safety · government use of AI · automated decision-making
Agency pageMayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels Put Students First with Nation's Broadest Generative AI Moratorium in Schools — NYC Mayor's Office

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