Norway is taking a firm line on generative AI in education, with a new policy set to restrict chatbot use for younger students starting with the new school year in late August 2026. Under the rules, children aged 6 to 13 will essentially be barred from using chatbot tools or similar systems for learning activities.
The move goes beyond primary school. Students in lower secondary education, aged 14 to 16, will only be allowed to use AI in a limited way and under teacher supervision.
Aimed at protecting basic learning
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said children must first master the basics without leaning on technology. He stressed that the most important task in school is ensuring students truly learn to read, write, and do arithmetic.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday local time, Støre warned that early use of AI could let students skip stages they should complete independently. The government also fears that dependence on generative AI may leave less room for critical thinking and problem-solving practice.
The policy arrives as Norway faces a decline in education test results in recent years, adding pressure on officials to reassess the role of digital tools in classrooms.
AI is not being rejected outright
Norway is not closing the door on AI altogether. For upper secondary students aged 17 to 19, the technology is instead encouraged as long as it is used properly and responsibly.
That approach reflects a broader effort to match AI access with student maturity. The government wants learners to understand the technology well before they move on to higher education or enter the workforce.
Part of a wider shift away from early digital dependence
The AI limits also fit into a broader review of digital education in Norway. The country was among the earlier adopters of computers in schools, starting in the 1990s.
After the iPad arrived in 2010, many schools shifted toward tablets and reduced their reliance on printed books and handwriting. The government is now reversing part of that trend by pushing for more physical books in classrooms through funding regulation plans.
This change signals an effort to balance the benefits of technology with the basic learning methods that officials still consider essential.
Smartphones and social media are also under pressure
The AI restriction is one piece of a tougher set of rules covering children’s exposure to digital technology. In 2024, Norway already banned smartphone use in schools and gave teachers more authority to maintain discipline in class.
Separately, in April 2026, the government announced plans to bar children from accessing social media until age 16. That step follows Australia and several other countries that have also tried to limit digital access for children and teenagers.
With limits now spanning AI, smartphones, and social media, Norway has become one of the strictest countries on digital technology in education. While generative AI can offer information access and productivity gains, the government is choosing to prioritize literacy, numeracy, and independent thinking from an early age.
