New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Wednesday that the city will ban student use of artificial intelligence in public schools through eighth grade for one year. ^[1] New York City, the largest school district in the U.S., announced a one-year moratorium on the use of artificial intelligence by students in its public elementary and middle schools on 2026-09-02. ^[2] The New York City policy will affect about 600,000 public school students through eighth grade, while high school students will be allowed to use AI in some cases. ^[3] A source close to the matter confirmed to AFP on 2026-09-02 that New York City will prohibit the use of artificial intelligence by students in public schools until the eighth grade. ^[4] The New York City mayor's office announced that public schools will implement a one-year ban on generative AI software for students through eighth grade during the 2025-2026 school year. ^[5] According to a source close to the matter, AI use will be permitted only in high school starting in ninth grade, and even then restricted to specific cases such as learning about the technology itself. ^[6] AI companion chatbots designed to offer psychological support will be banned in all grades in New York City public schools. ^[7] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters on 2026-09-02 that the city's elementary and middle schools would halt the use of about 40 AI educational tools in classrooms. ^[8] Students will be kept from using the technology in the classroom until they enter high school. ^[9] The policy will bar teachers from using AI tools to grade assignments. ^[10] The directive imposes strict limits on digital devices, prohibiting students from using individual screens before third grade, when they are approximately 8 or 9 years old. ^[11] Josh Golin, executive director of the children's advocacy group Fairplay, said a one-year evaluation period is not nearly enough and that AI platforms should bear the burden of proving their products are effective, safe, and not driving widespread cheating. ^[12]