Schools pause AI use amid calls for evidence-based integration

New York City and Los Angeles have paused the use of generative AI in schools for one year, affecting nearly 600,000 students. Chancellor Kamar Samuels of New York City emphasized the need for evidence to ensure AI supports learning rather than distracts from it. Teachers and students are making decisions about AI without clear guidance, with 82% of educators receiving no formal training. A Common Sense Media survey found 91% of teens use AI for schoolwork, highlighting its growing role in education. Federal leaders are urged to invest in research infrastructure to gather evidence on AI’s impact. The Alliance for Learning Innovation proposed a national network of testbeds to simulate real classroom environments. This approach aligns with the Department of Education’s guidance and outcomes-based contracting models. Both cities plan to study AI’s effects over the next year, aiming to build a national evidence base by Fall 2027 to inform future classroom tools.