Nearly half of Chicago school board hopefuls pledge three-year AI ban and stricter screen rules
About 24 of the 45 candidates for Chicago's school board have signed a pledge to impose a three-year ban on AI use, limit screen time, and require a chief privacy officer for CPS.
Roughly half of the 45 individuals running for Chicago's school board have endorsed a pledge to ban artificial-intelligence tools for students and teachers for three years, eliminate screen time before third grade, and hire a chief privacy officer to stop biometric data collection. The pledge was created by a nonprofit and is supported by parent-advocacy leader Cassie Creswell, who argues AI's dangers now outweigh any gains.
Opponents, including former CPS CEO Janice Jackson, warn that an outright ban could deprive educators of valuable resources and impede teaching responsible AI use. Chicago Public Schools maintains a “deliberate, responsible” AI stance, citing state guidelines and noting a paused plan to allow Google’s Gemini chatbot in high schools. The effort mirrors similar technology-restriction moves in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as recent state legislation limiting student cell-phone use.
