Norway Limits Classroom AI for Young Students

Norway will introduce strict limits on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, including a near-total ban for primary school pupils, as part of broader efforts to improve educational outcomes and strengthen foundational learning skills.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced on June 19 that the new guidelines will take effect at the start of the next academic year in late August.

The government said young children should focus on developing essential skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics without relying on AI tools. According to Støre, excessive use of AI could cause students to miss important stages of the learning process.

Under the new policy:

• Students in grades 1–7 (ages 6–13) will generally not be allowed to use generative AI tools in school.
• Students in lower secondary school (ages 14–16) may use AI only in a limited and carefully supervised manner under teacher guidance.
• Students in upper secondary education (ages 17–19) will be taught how to use AI responsibly to prepare them for higher education and future employment.

The move follows a series of education reforms introduced by the Norwegian government in response to declining academic performance. In 2024, authorities banned smartphones in schools and expanded teachers’ authority to maintain classroom discipline.

Norway was among the early adopters of digital technology in education, introducing computers into classrooms during the 1990s and increasingly using tablets after the launch of the Apple iPad in the 2010s. This shift gradually reduced the use of traditional textbooks and handwriting exercises.

However, the government now plans to reverse part of that trend. It announced on June 19 that it will propose legislation to increase funding for printed books in classrooms, encouraging a greater reliance on physical learning materials.

The AI restrictions are part of a broader effort to reduce children’s exposure to digital technologies. In April, Norway also unveiled plans to prohibit children under 16 from using social media, following similar initiatives in countries such as Australia.

Officials say the measures are designed to support learning, improve educational standards, and ensure that technology is used in ways that benefit rather than hinder students’ development.