Norway has announced strict new rules on the use of artificial intelligence in schools, introducing a near ban on generative AI tools for elementary school students starting from the new academic year in late August.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said the decision aims to improve learning outcomes and ensure children develop essential skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics without relying heavily on technology.
Under the new guidelines, students in grades one through seven, typically aged six to 13, will generally not be allowed to use generative AI tools in the classroom. The government believes early dependence on AI could cause children to skip important learning steps and weaken their problem-solving abilities.
For students aged 14 to 16 in lower secondary schools, AI use will be allowed only under the supervision of teachers and with clear educational purposes. Older students, aged 17 to 19, will receive training on how to use AI responsibly to prepare them for higher education and future careers.
The new policy follows several recent efforts by Norway to reduce children’s dependence on digital devices. In 2024, the government banned smartphones in schools and gave teachers greater authority to maintain discipline in classrooms.
Norway is also planning to increase the use of traditional textbooks, reversing its long-standing shift toward tablets and digital learning tools that began in the 1990s.
The government has additionally proposed banning social media access for children under the age of 16 as concerns grow over the impact of technology on young people.
