New York, USA – New York City has decided to restrict the use of generative artificial intelligence (GI) tools in schools for students up to the eighth grade.
This move aims to protect essential learning skills and foster children’s ability to think, write, and solve problems independently.
The decision comes amid growing concerns that young students are becoming overly reliant on AI tools for readily available answers.
This could reduce the mental effort required for children to acquire knowledge and develop their skills.
Protecting learning skills
Educational authorities believe that the early stages of education require a greater focus on reading,
writing, critical thinking, and direct interaction between students and teachers.
New York fears that the unregulated use of artificial intelligence could transform the educational process
from one based on trial and error into one where students receive solutions instantly.
Not a complete ban on technology
The decision does not mean removing technology from schools, as teachers can utilize
artificial intelligence tools in lesson planning and some educational and administrative tasks.
There are also exceptions that allow the use of these tools in specific cases,
particularly when some students require them due to special educational needs or within specialized programs.
What about high school students?
Educational policy is shifting towards a different approach with high school students, focusing on teaching them how
to use artificial intelligence responsibly, understand its mechanisms and risks, rather than banning it entirely.
This reflects a trend of postponing the widespread adoption of AI until students
develop a strong foundation in critical thinking, research, and analytical skills.
Evaluable experience
Authorities view the measure as a step open to review and evaluation,
with the aim of studying the impact of artificial intelligence
on students and determining the best ways to integrate it into the educational process.
While technology races to enter classrooms, New York is betting that children must first learn how to think
for themselves.This must happen before algorithms provide them with ready-made answers.
