Norway Set to Nearly Ban AI in Primary Schools

Norway is introducing a near-total ban on the use of generative artificial intelligence in primary schools, while also restricting its use among older students.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced the move on Friday, saying that artificial intelligence could have a negative impact on learning, according to Reuters.

“The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write, and solve mathematical problems,” Støre said.

According to the government, children in grades 1 to 7, aged 6 to 13, should not use artificial intelligence at all. Lower secondary school students, aged 14 to 16, will only be allowed to use AI under teacher supervision.

Meanwhile, older students aged 17 to 19 will be expected to learn how to use AI responsibly as part of their preparation for higher education and future careers. The new rules will take effect at the start of the next school year in late August.

The decision comes amid a broader crackdown on children’s internet use in Norway. In April, the government announced plans to present legislation by the end of the year that would ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. It remains unclear which platforms would be affected.

“We are introducing this legislation because we want children to have a childhood where they can simply be children,” Støre said.

The government also banned smartphones in schools in 2024 following a decline in educational test results. In a separate statement released on Friday, officials said they plan to introduce legislation encouraging the use of physical books in classrooms, moving away from the heavy reliance on tablets.

No country has yet introduced a nationwide ban on AI use in schools, although some have imposed restrictions. China has introduced limits on AI use in primary and secondary education, while several autonomous regions in Spain have implemented restrictions on digital devices in classrooms.