NEW YORK, NY— New York City’s public school system issued its first systemwide rules governing artificial intelligence in classrooms, drawing firm boundaries around how teachers and students can use the technology while opening the door to broader adoption.
Teachers may use AI to generate lesson ideas, assist with research and draft communications.
They may not use it to grade student work or determine disciplinary action.
“Our students do not need technology for its own sake,” the guidance states. “They need accurate instruction, meaningful practice and adults who know them well enough to decide when A.I. belongs in their learning, and when it does not.”
The framework applies across nearly 1,600 schools and arrives as the nation’s largest school district weighs a deeper embrace of AI, including the potential creation of a specialized high school focused on the technology.
Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels said the guidance centers on safety, rigor and equity.
“Does this technology affect students’ safety? How can we use it to increase academic rigor? Will it maintain culturally responsive instruction?” Samuels said, describing the questions that shaped the policy.
The rules organize AI use into a “traffic light” system.
Some uses fall under red, or prohibited. Others require caution.
Approved uses fall under green, where AI can support classroom work under supervision.
Educators cannot input personally identifiable information into any AI tool that has not passed a formal review process. Even approved tools require human oversight.
“AI supports—never replaces—educator and leader decision-making,” the guidance states.
The review system, known as the Enterprise Request Management Application, requires vendors to disclose how they handle student data, confirm compliance with federal and state privacy laws and agree not to train AI models on student information.
Tools that fail the process cannot be used in schools.
The policy defines personally identifiable information broadly, including names, student ID numbers, grades, disability status and images.
Officials said the system does not yet evaluate tools for bias or instructional effectiveness but plans to expand those standards.
The guidance reflects both urgency and caution.
Research cited by school officials points to risks including algorithmic bias, unequal access and unclear developmental effects on students. At the same time, education leaders argue that avoiding AI altogether would leave students unprepared.
The state’s “Portrait of a Graduate” calls for skills such as critical thinking, communication and creativity, competencies officials say require direct engagement with emerging technologies.
In classrooms, the policy allows students to use AI for research and exploration, but requires educators to verify outputs for accuracy and bias. Teachers must also instruct students to question AI responses rather than accept them at face value.
The rollout follows similar efforts in other large districts, including Chicago, Denver and Charlotte-Mecklenburg, as well as statewide policies in places like Ohio.
School leaders plan to gather public feedback during a 45-day comment period before releasing a more detailed playbook in June 2026.