NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — New York City Public Schools’ Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels has released fresh guidance on how educators, parents and students can ethically use artificial intelligence in the classroom.
Samuels emphasized that while the guidance is meant to “empower” educators, “no tool” can replace what teachers bring to the classroom every day.
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The guidance follows a “traffic light” framework, which is meant to help with decision-making around the use of AI applications.
Generally, educators will be able to use AI in brainstorming and organizing, creating initial drafts of some forms of communication and scheduling and formatting documents. However educators will not be able to use it in care and counseling, behavioral monitoring, crafting IEP or 504 accommodation development and grading.
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“This guidance is designed to empower our educators to choose tools that support our students without compromising on safety or academic integrity, while teaching our children when and how to use AI appropriately,” said Samuels.
Both educators and parents are reminded that human judgment is required in the use of all AI tools and that personal information about a child should never be entered into AI programs that haven’t been approved by the school system.
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The chancellor’s guidance will be rolled out in four phases from now through June 2026, beginning with clarifying existing policies, outlining what’s not allowed and creating opportunities for feedback and recommendations.
Later phases will include explaining the new guidance to school staff and parents through events and webinars, conducting analysis, incorporating revisions and conducting targeted trainings. In the final phase, NYC Public Schools will publish a playbook and resources, as well as develop a strategic plan and roadmap on the use of AI in schools.
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Below is a list of how AI is allowed and not allowed in NYC Public Schools.
NYC Public Schools AI use guidanceAI cannot be used in:
IEP and 504 plan development
Surveillance and behavior
Deciding a child’s course path
AI can be used with careful judgement in:
Translating and transadapting instructional material
Research, exploration and creative projects for students
AI can be used in:
Brainstorming and organizing lesson ideas, approaches and unit planning
Drafting and refining communications
Scheduling, formatting and summarizing non-sensitive information
Operational data synthesis
Translation of non-critical school communications for families who prefer languages other than English
Creation of accessible materials for families and communities
Professional development, preparation and research
More information on the use of AI in schools can be found here.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
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