MPs back call for ban on generative AI in primary schools
A majority in the Tweede Kamer supports a motion asking the cabinet to ban primary school pupils from using generative AI such as ChatGPT.
Volt leader Laurens Dassen submits the motion, drafted with the CDA, on Thursday during the debate on the education budget. It asks the cabinet to arrange a ban on generative AI, which produces text, audio, video or images from prompts, for primary school pupils.
Members of PRO, D66, the Party for the Animals, DENK, 50PLUS, the SP, the Christian Union and JA21 have also signed it. Together with Volt and the CDA, they hold 88 of the 150 seats.
Large majority of parties backs primary school AI ban
Seats in the Tweede Kamer
Dassen says the Netherlands must not repeat the mistake of embracing social media uncritically. Children should first learn to read, write and think critically, he says, and generative AI widens learning gaps. CDA MP Armut says it adds nothing for primary pupils and that AI should only support learning.
The PO-raad, the primary education sector association, welcomes the proposal and says it understands the concerns and that something must happen. But it says a possible total ban "comes out of the blue". It says it is open to agreements with the ministry and experts.
State secretary for education Judith Tielen (VVD) does not yet back the request. "I understand the concern very much," she said in the debate on her budget. "But to put it so firmly now, I really need a bit more time for that."
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PO-raad (Primair Onderwijs-raad)
The PO-raad is the national association of school boards in Dutch primary education, representing the organisations that run basisscholen (primary schools). It speaks for these boards in discussions with the government and Parliament and works with the ministry on policy for primary schools, including teachers' employment conditions and school quality. Its position matters because school boards are the ones who must put national rules and plans into practice in their schools.