Norway to ban AI tools in primary schools from August 2026

The Norwegian government will prohibit the use of artificial‑intelligence (AI) tools in primary‑school classrooms for children aged 6‑13 beginning in August 2026. For students aged 14‑16, AI may be used only under direct teacher supervision, while pupils over 17 will have broader access. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said, "the most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write and do maths." The policy reverses a 2016 tablet programme that was deemed to have lowered literacy and test scores and follows a 2024 ban on smartphones in classrooms, which reportedly reduced bullying and improved grades. Funding will be increased for the purchase of printed textbooks to support the shift back to analog learning methods.