New York City Public Schools Announces Release of AI Guidance for Educators and School Leaders

  • Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2026

Guidance on Artificial Intelligence can be found here.

NEW YORK, NY – Today, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) announced the release of Guidance on Artificial Intelligence, which includes policies on academic integrity, student privacy, and data security. This first iteration of guidance will help educators and staff ensure that when AI is leveraged in schools, it is done safely, thoughtfully, ethically, and responsibly, while reinforcing the necessity of human judgment when evaluating AI-produced materials. In line with the Chancellor’s commitment to engaging with school communities and prioritizing school community-led decision making, families, educators, and school leaders will be invited to offer feedback on the AI guidance over the next 45 days – through May 8, 2026. 

"While there is no tool or resource in the world that can replace what our teachers bring to their classrooms every day, AI can be used as a powerful tool to make the work of our educators more efficient, giving them more time to focus on supporting our students as they develop essential critical thinking skills," said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. "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." 

At the core of the Guidance is the “traffic light” framework, which uses a risk-based approach to support decision-making around AI applications in educational settings. Most crucially, no tool can replace the care, instruction, support, or judgement of our educators, and every tool must ensure that student privacy remains protected. 

Some of the recommended uses for AI include brainstorming and organizing, creating initial drafts of non-sensitive communications, scheduling, and formatting documents. Prohibited uses include care and counseling, behavioral monitoring, IEP or 504 accommodation development, and grading.  

The Guidance was developed over the last year in close partnership and collaboration with the internal NYCPS AI Task Force, Panel for Education Policy Data Privacy Working Group, and AI Advisory Council, which includes industry leaders, scholars, educators, and school leaders. 

"As the use of emerging technology is increasingly normalized, it's crucial to monitor both the safety and privacy risks of its use while identifying ways it can enhance the learning environment. This is especially important as we close the digital divide, ensure equitable access to quality education, and teach our youth about responsible use of technology,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Chair of the Committee on Technology. "We look forward to working alongside our educators and administrative staff to craft a workable future for technology in our schools."

"From our work with school communities, there is a deep understanding that AI is a tool that must be used wisely, but that teaching is always the human connection between educators and students,” said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. “We have also seen that school communities want common-sense guardrails to protect their students and their students' data.”

“Integrating AI responsibly into our schools is a top priority for the Panel, and one that has sparked significant public interest,” said Gregory Faulkner, Chair of the Panel for Educational Policy. “I value the Chancellor’s commitment to giving parents, educators, and students a genuine voice in this process. By fostering this deeper level of engagement, we ensure that our school communities are heard as we navigate the complexities of this technology together.”

"After hearing from dozens of parents, teachers, experts, and school administrators over the past few months about the future of technology in schools, one thing is clear: a fuller picture of what AI and other new technologies can achieve will only come from deeper community engagement,” said Shannon Edwards, Chair, AI Subcommittee of the Data Privacy Working Group. “Everyone should have a say in the future of a technology built to enhance human intelligence and achievement, and if the feedback so far is any indicator, more of this kind of participation will make a significant difference to the kids currently in school and facing a rapidly changing future."

“AI is an emerging technology with the potential to transform the lives of everyday people. That said, we as a community do not fully understand how it works, what data is being collected, and how that data is being used or protected,” said Thomas Sheppard, Former CEC Presidents Member, PEP & Parent Engagement and Education Subcommittee Chair, NYCPS Data Privacy Working Group. “With recent updates to Chancellor’s Regulation A-820, NYCPS committed to creating clear guidance about the use of AI in schools and procedures for educating parents about their data privacy rights. I am pleased that NYCPS partnered with parents and communities in developing this guidance. It is an important milestone in the ongoing effort to protect the personal information of our students and their families.”
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Contact Chancellor’s Press Office: press@schools.nyc.gov