Norway Bans AI Tools in Primary Schools Starting August

Norway will prohibit the use of generative artificial‑intelligence tools for students aged 6 to 13 in primary schools beginning in August. The ban is part of a tiered policy announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who said the aim is to protect foundational literacy and numeracy and address declining test scores.

For lower secondary pupils (ages 14‑16) AI use will be allowed only under strict teacher supervision, while upper‑secondary students (17‑19) may use AI more freely for university and workplace preparation. The measure follows a 2024 ban on smartphones in classrooms and upcoming restrictions on social‑media access for children under 16, reflecting a shift back toward analog teaching methods and increased funding for physical textbooks.

The policy aligns with similar regulatory trends in other countries, as governments grapple with the rapid evolution of digital technology in education.