Norway will impose strict limits on generative AI use in schools starting in late August, the new academic year, targeting students aged 6 to 19. The government will bar AI tools for children aged 6 to 13, allow supervised use for those 14 to 16, and teach responsible AI use to students aged 17 to 19. This policy aims to address concerns about AI harming learning and cognitive development, according to medianama.com.
Announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the measures emphasize foundational skills like reading, writing, and mathematics. The government fears that younger students relying on AI might skip essential learning steps. The AI restrictions follow a 2024 ban on smartphones in schools and efforts to strengthen classroom discipline. Alongside AI limits, Norway plans to increase physical book use in classrooms, reversing decades of digital learning trends that began with computers in the 1990s and expanded to tablets.
This move reflects Norway's response to declining educational outcomes and concerns over excessive technology use in classrooms. The policy contrasts with many countries expanding AI integration in education, highlighting a cautious approach to balancing technology with traditional learning methods. Norway’s decision to reintroduce books signals a shift back to tactile learning tools amid growing debates on AI's role in education worldwide.
The new AI restrictions and increased use of physical books will take effect from the start of the academic year in late August, marking a significant policy shift in Norway’s education system, medianama.com reports.