National teachers union president calls for screen bans, AI limits in schools

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, unveiled a plan to limit technology in schools, including prohibiting AI use by elementary students as well as companion chatbots for all until age 16, according to a speech on Wednesday.

Weingarten, head of the union of more than 1.8 million members, called for a screen ban, including online assessments, for students in pre-K through second grade, as well as a total ban on “social companion” chatbots that simulate human relationships for students under the age of 16.