New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Does Not Believe An ‘AI-Powered Early Education’ Is Necessary And Here’s What He’s Doing About It – AfroTech
New York City Public Schools is cracking down on AI.
ABC News reports that more than half a million students in the New York City Public Schools district will not be allowed to use AI. This will be enforced for the 2026-27 academic year for 2-K through eighth grade.
Doubling down, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani makes it clear that he does not subscribe to the tech industry’s narrative that “A.I.-powered early education” is necessary.
“We do not see it that way,” he said, according to ABC News.
The school district, which is the largest school system in the U.S., will implement the moratorium on generative AI as well as continue “studying the impacts of this technology,” per the outlet.
The moratorium will also ban software companion chatbots. While this embargo won’t apply to high school students, the district will provide them with annual AI literacy classes to encourage critical thinking and reduce reliance on AI.
“We’re standing firmly in our decision to not conflate innovation with more tech, and we’re going to lead over the next year with evidence and make sure technology serves learning — not the other way around,” New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said, according to ABC News.
The move by New York City Public Schools comes at a time when students are reportedly struggling to think independently. Lisa Collum, teacher and founder of Top Score Writing, told ABC News some students struggle to write even a single sentence on their own.
She also notes that students who are leaning on AI are experiencing reduced stamina, scattered thoughts, and very short answers.
“Technology is great. There’s options to help reinforce and practice school skills they’ve already learned, but AI is different because that is where it does the thinking for you. So we have to make sure we’re introducing that after they have those foundational skills. That comes later. You’ve learned how to think, you’ve learned how to write, and now you can use AI to make those skills stronger,” Collum told the outlet.
