School districts blocking ChatGPT amid fears of cheating, educators weigh in on AI

School districts are banning a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that can respond to prompts on demand, such as writing complex essays. The free tool powered by tech startup OpenAI is raising fears that students will use this technology to cheat.

After ChatGPT was released on Nov. 30, Los Angeles Unified District blocked students’ access to the technology on networks and devices to "protect academic honesty while a risk/benefit assignment is conducted."

"In the meantime, we will continue to provide robust and relevant training and instruction in digital citizenship and computer science education for all school communities," a Los Angeles Unified District spokesperson told FOX Business in a statement.

New York City, Baltimore County, Loudon County in Virginia and Montgomery County in Alabama are among the latest school districts to join Los Angeles in restricting students from accessing the chatbot.