This new move stands in contrast to India, where policymakers are systematically integrating AI into school education.
According to Norway’s new basic framework, students in grades 1 to 7 and between the ages of 6 and 13 should not use AI at all “in principle”. AI tools can be used cautiously by middle school students aged 14 to 16 with teacher supervision. It is not until later in school that students learn to use AI in preparation for further education or employment.
“The most important thing in school is for kids to learn reading, writing and math,” Storey said.
Banning AI is not the only education reform Norway will introduce in the new school year. Teachers are returning with greater powers to “manage instruction and behavior.”
Computers and tablets, which have been in use since the 1990s, are being used less in Norwegian classrooms, and the government has announced plans to fund the use of more books and aids.
indian approach
Norway’s move away from AI in education is a departure from India’s approach to the technology. In contrast, Indian education policy has embraced artificial intelligence much more aggressively.
Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023, AI is being introduced into school curricula across the country through the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
At the primary education level, the Department of Education has three initiatives to advance AI for students and educators. DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) is a mobile application that provides “engaging learning materials” tailored to the needs of a given school curriculum.
The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) program includes modules to build AI awareness and skills for both students and teachers. The ministry’s SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) platform has over 110 free AI courses from IITs and IISc, with over 41.2 million students enrolled.
CBSE also offers technology courses for students from class 6 onwards, and NCERT is incorporating AI content in computer textbooks.
To support India’s growing AI sector, the government launched the IndianAI Mission in March 2024 with a budget of Rs 10,371.92 crore over five years to provide computing infrastructure for AI model development, create datasets for training, and develop practical applications across sectors including education.
