Norway to ban generative AI for young students

Norway's government is implementing a near-total ban on generative artificial intelligence for elementary school students, aged 6 to 13, starting in the upcoming school year. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced the new, strict framework, emphasizing the need to protect the learning process and ensure children develop essential skills like reading, writing, and math.

This move comes as Norway grapples with a noticeable decline in educational test performance. The government had already banned smartphones in schools in 2024, granting teachers more authority to enforce discipline. Støre stated that the increasing use of AI poses a risk of children skipping crucial learning stages. "The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write, and solve math problems," he said.

For students aged 14 to 16, AI use will be permitted only under teacher supervision. Those aged 17 to 19 will be educated on the proper utilization of AI to prepare them for higher education and the job market. This policy shift also signals a potential return to traditional learning methods, with the government planning to propose legislation that promotes the use of printed books in classrooms, reversing a trend that had favored digital media since the 1990s.

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The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write, and solve math problems.