LAUSD bans student AI tools for 2026-27

The Los Angeles Unified School District has restricted all student access to generative artificial intelligence platforms for the 2026-27 school year. The nation's second-largest school system confirmed the policy change in an email late Wednesday.

Previously, LAUSD students aged 13 or older could access approved AI tools after completing digital citizenship instruction and reviewing the district's responsible use policy. A district spokesperson told K-12 Dive the new restrictions are temporary, allowing time to review instructional uses and necessary safeguards.

AI Policy Development

LAUSD held the first meeting of its Generative AI Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday. This committee is tasked with developing recommendations for guardrails and procedures governing future student use of AI tools. The spokesperson said the committee will share its AI policy recommendations with the LAUSD school board by the end of the 2026-27 school year.

The district's move coincides with a similar announcement from New York City. That system will implement a one-year ban on AI use for elementary and middle school students. Now that the two largest U.S. School systems have enacted student AI moratoriums, some ed tech experts worry about potential ripple effects on AI policies in other districts nationwide.

Advocacy and Broader Context

Local advocacy groups have increasingly pushed for such AI moratoriums in districts like LAUSD and NYC. They cite concerns that the technology has not yet proven to be safe or effective at improving student learning. The parent and teacher-led group Schools Beyond Screens, which advocated for LAUSD's recent screen time restrictions, celebrated the new district-wide AI policy.

Lila Byock, founder of Schools Beyond Screens, said in a Wednesday statement that the AI moratoriums show that "the people have the power to reclaim US public schools from corporate influence."

Shifting Tech Policies

This shifting approach to AI policy is occurring alongside growing pushes for screen time limits and technology restrictions in classrooms at the district and state levels. In June, LAUSD became one of the first large districts in the nation to approve and implement a policy limiting screen time and one-to-one device use for its youngest students.

In August, the U.S. Department of Education addressed the matter of screen time and ed tech restrictions in schools. In a Dear Colleague letter, the agency stressed that concerns about educational technology should not be conflated with those regarding consumer technology. It also stated that decisions to limit devices in schools are ultimately a local matter. The district's spokesperson said the AI restrictions are in place while instructional use and safeguards are reviewed.