New York City Public Schools banning AI use through middle school this year

New York City Public Schools is banning more than half a million students and teachers from using artificial intelligence for the 2026-2027 academic year, the school district confirmed to ABC News.The nation's largest school district said it will return next week with a sweeping ban on AI for grades 2-K-8th grade, which is the city's pre-schoolers through middle schoolers.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during the annual New York State Financial Control Board meeting on August 12, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani was joined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and other board members as they discussed the state's budget.Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesIn a statement to ABC News, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that the city is implementing a moratorium on generative AI for these students and will spend the next year "studying the impacts of this technology."Popular ReadsThe news comes as some education advocates have pushed for guardrails and formal guidance on AI use.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.