Norway bans AI tools in primary schools to prioritize reading and handwriting

The Norwegian government approved a ban on generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT for primary‑school pupils aged six to thirteen, starting with the 2026‑2027 academic year. The restriction also limits AI use for students aged 14‑16 to teacher‑supervised, educational contexts, while AI instruction is reserved for secondary‑school students aged 17‑19. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the measure aims to reinforce basic skills – reading, writing and arithmetic – after a decline in international test scores.

The policy is part of a broader push to reduce tablet use in classrooms, re‑introduce printed textbooks and curb early‑age exposure to digital devices. Norway becomes the first European country to place an explicit ban on AI in primary education, citing concerns that the technology undermines concentration, critical thinking and manual writing abilities.