Artists and Cultural Workers Advocate for Two-Year AI Ban in NYC Public Schools

A collective of New York City's artistic and cultural community members is calling for a temporary halt to the use of artificial intelligence in public education. Approximately 500 visual artists, authors, musicians, and filmmakers have signed an open letter, published by the AI Moratorium Coalition, urging Mayor Zohran Mamdani to impose a two-year moratorium on AI technologies in the city's schools. They contend that AI is "constructed through appropriation, having taken the creations of countless artists" and has now permeated educational environments. Notable signatories include visual artists Nan Goldin, Laurie Simmons, and Carroll Dunham, alongside art critic Jerry Saltz and writer-artist Molly Crabapple.

The initiative emphasizes that several studies indicate AI software, such as ChatGPT, could hinder the development of critical thinking and creative capacities in students during their foundational elementary and high school years. Addressing Mayor Mamdani directly, the letter implores him to "advocate for the children of this metropolis – the inherent creators, the intrinsic innovators, tomorrow’s leaders – whose futures are being jeopardized solely to further enrich the world’s wealthiest individuals." This appeal aligns with a City Council oversight hearing dedicated to examining data privacy and security concerns associated with AI in public schools, marking a pivotal moment for the moratorium campaign initiated by educational advocacy groups in August 2025. The movement has already garnered significant support within the City Council, with members having previously urged the mayor to "immediately suspend" the deployment of generative AI in schools until robust safeguards, developed with public and expert input, are established. Furthermore, a petition supporting the moratorium has gathered over 4,000 signatures from parents and educators across New York City.

The benefits and drawbacks of AI teaching assistants and generative AI platforms like ChatGPT have rapidly become central topics in educational discourse. The Brookings Institution, a leading educational think tank, issued a report concluding that "at this juncture in its evolution, the perils of utilizing generative AI in children’s education outweigh its advantages." Despite these warnings, educators nationwide have adopted AI teaching assistants such as Magic School and Khanmigo. Kelly Clancy, founder of Parents for AI Caution in Educational Spaces (PACES) and an AIM member, highlighted that Google Gemini is present on "most computers" in New York City schools, and popular reading platforms like HMH integrate AI components. The letter further references expert concerns that AI could facilitate companies in collecting student data for third parties and fostering future generations of consumers through early reliance on such software. Additionally, reports cited in the letter link educational artificial intelligence to racial and gender biases. The letter concludes by reminding Mayor Mamdani of his campaign promise to be "the people’s mayor," urging him to "safeguard New York City’s creative future and establish a precedent for educational systems nationwide."

The dialogue surrounding artificial intelligence in education underscores a critical juncture where innovation must be carefully balanced with ethical considerations and the holistic development of students. Protecting the creative potential and critical thinking skills of the next generation is paramount, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a substitute for genuine intellectual growth. By advocating for responsible AI integration, communities can foster environments where learning remains deeply human-centric, promoting fairness, privacy, and an equitable future for all.