States and school districts across the U.S. are strengthening their restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) as the 2026-2027 K-12 school year gets underways, according to The Center Square.
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Just the News reports that education leaders are citing concerns over student learning, screen time and the risks of rapidly advancing technology as the justification for introducing or passing legislation aimed at regulating the use of AI in schools.
“Like it or not, or whatever happens with it, this is the future.”
Chicago school board candidates are eyeing a moratorium on AI, following NYC and Los Angeles restrictions on AI use by students through 8th grade.@JackieDeAngelis says this could leave kids behind do you agree? pic.twitter.com/tAct4EntBF
— The Big Money Show (@TheBigMoneyShow) September 8, 2026
School districts and states have introduced specific bans or pauses on AI use alongside new screen time policies, in some cases pairing limits with mandatory education, teaching students about algorithmic bias, data privacy, and ethical risks, according to The Center Square.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken steps to restrict AI use as it has become a cause for concern. This past week, Newsom signed Senate Bill 813 and Assembly Bill 1405, which aim at keeping AI accountable through safeguards and auditors, Just the News reports.
Newsom said in a statement, “The concerns raised in recent incidents reinforce what California has long recognized: artificial intelligence holds extraordinary promise, but it must be developed and deployed with meaningful safeguards to protect the public.”
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New York City officials have also moved to limit AI use in schools with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels launching a moratorium on artificial intelligence use in the classroom, along with a screen time policy for the new school year.
According to The Center Square, the Arizona House Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation passed House Bill 4005, which would require school districts and charter schools to provide instruction on the “ethical, moral and educational uses.”
In June of this year, The Illinois State Board of Education launched an AI guidance package, providing school districts with guidance on evaluating and using artificial intelligence products.
The : “The guidance is not organized around artificial intelligence as a technology to be adopted for its own sake. It is organized around the enduring educational premise that the teacher-student interaction is the centerpiece of teaching and learning.”
Lawmakers are also pushing for stricter national safety guardrails following recent AI testing anomalies and safety warnings from major developers, according to The Business Times.
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