29 NYC Council Members Urge Pause on AI in Schools as Guidance Nears This Summer
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
29 NYC Council Members Urge Pause on AI in Schools as Guidance Nears This Summer
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
Summary
Twenty-nine of New York City’s 51 council members asked Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels to halt AI use in schools until stricter safeguards are created.
The letter cites risks to student learning and mental health, along with concerns about cognitive development, critical thinking and privacy, and says AI should be limited to teaching about those risks for now.
The appeal adds pressure on Mamdani, who has sidestepped questions on a formal AI pause but has said he understands parents’ concerns and supports reducing screen time in schools.
New York City has moved more cautiously than some districts—temporarily blocking ChatGPT after launch—but teacher and student use has still grown, and the Education Department plans to publish its first AI guidance this summer.
An audit found NYC schools can't protect student data now. How can they possibly manage the immense privacy risks of AI?
Experts warn AI may prevent children from ever developing critical thinking skills. Is the city ignoring this fundamental risk?
NYC Council Calls for Immediate Moratorium on AI in Public Schools Amid Widespread Concerns Over Student Safety and Equity
Overview
On June 9, 2026, 29 members of the NYC Council called for an immediate pause on the use of AI in public schools, citing urgent concerns about student safety, learning, and privacy. This action was driven by mounting expert warnings and evidence about the risks of unregulated AI in education. In response, the Department of Education delayed its final AI guidance and postponed the city’s first proposed AI-focused high school. The Council also scheduled an oversight hearing for June 24, 2026, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards and greater transparency in how AI is used in schools.