Zohran Mamdani Announces One-Year AI Moratorium In New York City Public Schools

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI tools in public schools, covering pupils from 2-K through eighth grade.

The policy will affect around 6,00,000 students, nearly two-thirds of the city’s public-school enrolment.

Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen human interaction with teachers and encourage critical thinking, while reducing excessive reliance on AI.

The policy will introduce new screen-time limits. Pupils in grades 3-5, for instance, will have a daily screen-time cap of 30 minutes.

New York City will allow limited AI pilot programmes in high schools and introduce AI literacy modules to help students understand and use emerging technologies responsibly.

Officials will, however, provide exceptions for students with disabilities and English learners when AI tools support their educational needs.

As part of the rollout, the city plans to disable AI features across more than 38 existing educational programmes.

Officials will use the 2026-27 school year to assess the policy’s impact on learning, technology use and classroom engagement.

The move marks one of the most restrictive approaches to student-facing AI in the United States.

Mamdani has argued that young learners need meaningful interaction with teachers and peers, highlighting the need to balance technological development with traditional educational foundations.

The policy comes as schools across the US continue to assess both the potential benefits and risks of generative AI in education.

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