New York bans artificial intelligence in schools to protect children's mental health

New York City plans to ban the use of artificial intelligence tools by students in public schools through the eighth grade, according to a source familiar with the matter who told Agence France-Presse, confirming reports by US media. Teachers and parents have raised concerns about the use of AI in schools, citing fears that it could negatively affect children’s mental health and cognitive development, as well as its environmental impact. The source told AFP that AI use would be permitted only for high school students, starting from the ninth grade in the US school system, but noted that such access would be limited to specific cases, such as learning about the technology itself. Eighth-grade students in the United States are typically around 13 years old.