Norway bans AI in elementary schools over cognitive development concerns

The Indian Express—Norway announced a near-total ban on artificial intelligence tools in primary school classrooms, making it one of the first countries to take such sweeping action against AI in early education. Education officials cited research suggesting that over-reliance on AI tools impairs the development of foundational cognitive skills including reading, writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking in young students. The policy applies to children in elementary grades and restricts the use of AI assistants, chatbots, and generative tools that can complete homework or learning tasks on behalf of students. Norway joins a growing number of European governments reassessing the role of technology in early education following concerns about screen time and digital dependency. The ban does not extend to secondary or higher education, where AI use in supervised research contexts is still permitted.

• The Indian Express — Officials cited specific concerns that AI dependency stunts the development of cognitive and learning skills in young children.
• The Straits Times — Norway imposes near-total AI ban in primary schools
• Hacker News — Norway moves to nearly ban AI in elementary schools
• Reuters — Norway imposed a near-total ban on AI tools in elementary school classrooms.