LAUSD Adopts Moratorium on Student AI Use, Another Move to Limit Classroom Tech

LA Unified (LAUSD) adopted a moratorium on student use of generative artificial intelligence for the current school year, officials said Wednesday, limiting generative AI to being effectively unavailable on district devices “until further notice.” The decision came to light at the first meeting of a school board committee examining AI in schools, surprising board members who were told by the chief academic officer and head of technology that the new policy would place generative AI out of reach for all students during the year. Administrators implemented the moratorium under their own authority, aiming to align with a June unanimous board vote to limit screen time, which restricts screens until 2nd grade and expands gradually. Board members Kelly Gonez and Nick Melvoin said they were unaware it was in place this year, even as parents pushed for a district-wide AI pause. The announcement coincides with reporting that New York City will ban student-facing generative AI tools in preschool through 8th grade while allowing limited use in high school.