Hundreds of New York City artists are rallying to halt the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. This campaign, spearheaded by the AI Moratorium Coalition (AIM), highlights a collective plea for a two-year pause on AI in education. Nearly 500 artists, writers, and actors have signed a letter urging Mayor Zohran Mamdani to protect the city’s creative future and prevent AI from infiltrating public schools.
The letter includes prominent voices like photographer Nan Goldin and illustrator Molly Crabapple. Goldin emphasized the risks, stating, “AI steals the work of artists and writers.” The fear is that AI might divert children’s attention and creativity, stalling their personal growth and future prospects, especially in a city known for its artistic vibrancy.
This call to action comes as the City Council prepares for an oversight hearing about AI and data privacy in schools. Artists and advocates are vocal about their concerns: AI could undermine creativity and pose significant privacy risks. The letter implores Mayor Mamdani to champion the cause of “natural-born creatives” in New York City. The campaign was initiated last August and recently gained the support of the City Council, who warned against the expansive integration of AI technologies in schools.
New York City Public Schools have acknowledged these concerns by setting initial AI guidelines, promising further updates. Kelly Clancy, from Parents for AI Caution in Educational Spaces (PACES), stressed the urgency of acting before summer, to influence decisions in the current academic year.
AI platforms like MagicSchool and Khanmigo are already prevalent in educational spaces nationwide. In New York, tools like Google Gemini and HMH read and learn platforms, with embedded AI features, are commonly used. Clancy insists that reliance on AI dampens students’ potential and diminishes New York’s rich, human-centered artistic community.
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French-Caribbean artist Sylvain Souklaye, planning to enroll his daughter in a local preschool, shared his concerns. Emphasizing the importance of experiential learning, he criticized AI as morally corrupt within schools. Souklaye’s personal projects have explored the contentious relationship between AI and consumer culture. He warned of the significant privacy and environmental costs of AI, especially concerning data harvesting and racial bias.
The artists’ letter to Mayor Mamdani appeals for a swift and decisive action to set a precedent, not just for New York City, but for educational systems across the nation. They urge protection for the creative and educational integrity of future generations.
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Source: hyperallergic.com