The New York City Department of Education, which decided to 'prohibit access to ChatGPT from schools,' has changed its policy and accepted generative AI



New York City Public Schools, the largest school district in the United States with approximately 1.1 million students, announced in January 2023 that it would ban access to ChatGPT , a conversational AI capable of human-level conversation, from schools. However, in May 2023, NYC Education Board Chairman David Banks reported that the NYC Education Department had already reversed its original policy and was supporting education about AI.



ChatGPT caught NYC schools off guard. Now, we're determined to embrace its potential. - Chalkbeat New York
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2023/5/18/23727942/chatgpt-nyc-schools-david-banks

New York City Public Schools chancellor reverses ChatGPT restrictions: report | Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/new-york-city-public-schools-chancellor-reverses-chatgpt-restrictions-report

ChatGPT, released by OpenAI in November 2022, is an AI capable of generating highly accurate sentences and engaging in human conversations, causing a major shock around the world. Due to strong concerns about students using ChatGPT, the New York City Department of Education blocked access to ChatGPT from education department devices and networks in January 2023.

New York City bans students and teachers from using ChatGPT - GIGAZINE



Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Education, said, 'ChatGPT may provide quick and concise answers to questions, but it does not build the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for academic and lifelong success.' She explained that the reason for the ban was that ChatGPT could have a negative impact on students.

There have been several cases in which educational institutions have banned access to web services, including YouTube, Netflix, and the online gaming platform Roblox. It's not as if teachers and students were completely barred from accessing ChatGPT from educational institutions; they could still apply to access ChatGPT and use it for classes.



In an op-ed published on May 18 in Chalkbeat, a New York City education news outlet, Banks wrote, 'ChatGPT caught New York schools off guard. Now we've decided to embrace its potential,' reporting that the New York City Department of Education has shifted its approach to ChatGPT.

Regarding blocking access to ChatGPT in January 2023, Banks said, 'This response allowed educators to use ChatGPT while conveying fear and risk,' arguing that there were certain benefits to a cautious stance. Furthermore, 'the knee-jerk fear and risk of AI overlooked the potential of generative AI to support students and teachers, and the reality that students will participate in and work in a world where understanding generative AI is important.' He expressed the view that in order to succeed in the future world, it is necessary to understand, rather than fear, generative AI.

Since banning ChatGPT, the New York City Department of Education has continued to hold discussions with technology industry leaders and learned about the potential and dangers that AI poses to platforms, schools, educators, and students. Banks also spoke with various educators in New York City, finding that many were already thinking about the future and ethics of AI and working to use generative AI to enhance education.

For example, at one junior high school, teachers are helping students learn about the potential of AI by asking ChatGPT questions and examining the accuracy of its answers. They are also discussing various ethical issues, including AI bias. Furthermore, some teachers are beginning to use AI effectively in education, such as using it to create personalized lesson plans and report cards.



To help teachers and students learn and explore this groundbreaking technology, the New York City Department of Education has announced that it will create a repository and community for sharing research results across the district, share examples of schools that have already successfully implemented AI, and provide a resource kit for educating students about AI.

'America could be on the brink of a profound social transformation brought about by AI. We must ensure that the benefits of this technology are distributed equitably and that socioeconomic disparities are not further exacerbated,' Banks said. 'We will educate both teachers and students about the important ethical concerns that technologists and government leaders are considering—something they are already discussing in their classrooms. But we will also ensure that students have the opportunity to be supported by AI and prepare for the jobs of today and the future, many of which will be built on AI and technological innovations we do not yet know.'

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