NYC bans generative AI in schools 2K through 8th grade. This is a step in the right direction, and I hope that other school districts jump on board. Even though I applaud this and I agree with this 100%, I still have a few questions. But before I ask my questions let me explain why I agree.
The overuse of AI amplified the issue of students who do not retain information. In schools that allow students to use AI, in most cases the students do poorly on tests. Using a prompt to gather information, or using a prompt to do your homework - is not the same as learning the information. Even though I’m hearing some people say that it should be all grades that ban AI, and not just stop at 8th grade, I’m OK with 8th grade being the cap. 2K through 8th grade are pivotal learning years, and generative AI should not be a tool being used while the learning process is forming. These are the years where reading comprehension, writing skills, problem solving, math formulas, etc are mastered. By the time they’re in high school generative AI is more like a tool. Where the students understand how the AI came with the answer. Also the student could fact check the AI by doing its own research because AI just gives you an answer, sometimes that answer is wrong. It’s like the person who works at a store who gives you an answer even though they don’t know it. That’s AI.

Now let me get to my questions, because the articles I read did not provide this information.

Question 1: Will this apply to students who are using equipment outside of the school not on the school’s ip address?

What is stopping a 6th grader from using Gemini at home? Using prompts to complete its homework and projects. If a student was to use generative AI at home, how can a teacher tell? I know most people say the telltale sign is the “AI overuse of buzzwords and the dash” but what if the student just adjusts the work to look more human? Will the teachers and admin be equipped with an AI detector? I know Claude just recently announced they will now have a way to detect AI writing with an invisible digital watermark.

Question 2: Will AI use be an elective for these students?

Even though I 100% agree with this initiative from NYC, I still believe that AI is the future and it should be learned to use as a tool. Like why use a screwdriver when you can use a drill. I believe the kids that are ahead in their work, they could be in an elective that teaches AI. It was like when I was in chess or calligraphy when I was in school. AI should be treated the same. I believe that when you outright ban something that amplifies the allure of it. Don’t fully outright ban AI, control how it is used. 

A few months ago I was invited to listen to a conversation with one of the leaders of Anthropic, the makers of Claude AI. And he said something that I think about everyday. His team has to write with pen and paper for a certain period of time per day. From his team writing, they have become better at their jobs with writing prompts. Also they have become better communicators. AI is here to stay, but we can’t break away from the basics.