Los Angeles Schools Block Student Access to AI Tools

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified School District has blocked student access to generative artificial intelligence tools on all district-issued devices, a policy shift that affects 378,000 students.

The restriction, effective for the 2026-27 school year, came into clearer public view during the first meeting of LAUSD's Generative AI Ad Hoc Committee on Sept. 2. Board member Kelly Gonez summarized the current position during the meeting: "Currently, there is no access to generative AI for any student."

The district's interim chief information officer, Douglas Le, said Lightspeed filtering software prevents students from accessing any website or app categorized as an AI tool on an LAUSD Chromebook. A comparable tool exists for tablets, said David Cooper, senior director of information technology.

"This allows us to capture their screen time, the app usage to the second," Le said. That information will be available in the future to students' families through the Parent Portal app, teachers and the board.

Reversal of Previous Policy

Previously, district policy allowed students 13 and older to use AI tools under school supervision and after they complete a lesson about "digital citizenship." The 2026-27 practice removes that access on district-issued devices while officials review appropriate instructional uses and safeguards.

That distinction represents a substantial change for high school students in particular. Under the previous approach, older students could use approved tools within district guidelines. Under the current approach, generative AI access on LAUSD devices is restricted regardless of grade level.

Board Members Surprised

The development is notable not only because the restrictions cover students across grade levels, but also because some board members said they had understood the district to still be operating under its previous policy.

Nick Melvoin, one of three board members on the committee, said after district staff explained the restrictions: "I don't think it's well-publicized. I would encourage us to do more."

Official Response

Pia Sadaqatmal, chief academic officer in an interview with LAist, said: "This is an emerging technology. We will continue to be adaptive as needed, but we do know that the heart of it is really making sure that we keep teaching and learning at the center of our decision."

The board voted in June to create an ad hoc generative AI committee with the goal of developing policy recommendations for board approval by next year.

What Remains Allowed

Google AI Mode has been disabled for student accounts and devices, although AI-generated summaries may still appear in ordinary Google search results. LAUSD has said non-generative AI applications can continue to serve educational purposes, including technologies used for adaptive learning, accessibility, speech recognition, captioning and translation.

Teachers are not barred from using generative AI on district devices under the current restrictions.

Committee Timeline

LAUSD's Generative AI Ad Hoc Committee held its first meeting on Sept. 2, 2026, and is expected to develop recommendations for future student use. The committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays through April 2027.

National Context

New York City's public school system — the only district in the country larger than LAUSD — also announced new limits on artificial intelligence Tuesday. Both districts are grappling with how to balance AI literacy, screen limits and classroom technology in an era of rapidly evolving tools.

How to Weigh In

Parents, students and educators can contact their LAUSD board members to share concerns about the AI policy. Committee chair Kelly Gonez said she substantially agreed with the decision to limit students' access to generative AI, but emphasized the committee will continue to study the issue.

Sources:

• LA Local — Published Sept. 3, 2026
• LA Wire — Published Sept. 5, 2026