On September 2 (local time), the New York City Department of Education made an announcement stating that for the 2026 - 2027 academic year, public schools in New York City will enforce a one - year restriction on the utilization of generative AI. This restriction forbids students from pre - kindergarten to eighth grade from using student - oriented generative AI tools, impacting around 600,000 students. The primary objective of this initiative is to minimize the classroom's dependence on generative AI and foster independent thinking among students. It also aims to encourage them to develop problem - solving skills and cultivate a questioning attitude towards information. It's important to note that this measure is neither a permanent prohibition nor a state - wide policy. There are exceptions to this rule. Students with physical and mental disabilities, multilingual learners, and those enrolled in specific career - oriented programs are exempt. Teachers are permitted to use AI tools that adhere to safety standards for instructional planning and administrative duties. However, they are not allowed to use such tools for grading purposes. High school students are allowed to use a limited range of AI tools and are required to enroll in artificial intelligence literacy courses. Moreover, New York City has rolled out policies to curb the usage time of electronic devices like tablets.