The Salamanca City Central School District in upstate New York has temporarily halted plans to introduce a $60,000 AI-powered robot, nicknamed "Sally," into its high school classrooms. The decision follows concerns raised by state education officials, teachers, and community members regarding the robot's manufacturer, Realbotix, and its ties to a company that produces sex dolls.
District Superintendent Mark Beehler had envisioned "Sally," a stationary humanoid robot, as a tool to enhance the education of students in robotics and technology. The robot was intended to assist with programming, provide explanations of technical concepts, and offer opportunities for students to learn about robot maintenance and updates. The district also planned to roll out a virtual AI teacher's assistant and an at-home tutoring program as part of the initiative.
However, the district's plan faced immediate backlash. Unionized teachers, represented by New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person, voiced strong opposition, stating that a robot from a company associated with sex dolls is inappropriate for classrooms. State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa echoed these concerns in a letter to the district, expressing worries about data privacy and security, even after a meeting with district officials. Rosa noted that while the district confirmed the robot would not deliver instruction, it was characterized as a "tutoring platform."
District officials have maintained that the robot is not intended to replace human educators, emphasizing that teaching is a human-to-human process. Beehler stated that a robot could never replace a human in a school setting and that it would not be in students' best interests. He also highlighted that Realbotix's robots use WozEd, a curriculum developed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, which the district already employs.
Realbotix has pushed back against the criticism, asserting that its educational units are newly manufactured and purpose-built, with no modified or repurposed hardware. The company stated that Realbotix LLC and its sister company, Intima LLC, which holds an ownership stake in sex doll maker RealDoll, operate independently with distinct product offerings, management, and market strategies.
Salamanca Schools stated that "Sally" would not collect personal student information, record audio or video, or send data back to Realbotix. All information would be stored locally, and the robot is programmed to avoid inappropriate topics and cannot access the internet or unvetted AI services. The company added that student authentication would be handled by the district's existing systems, with any student-linked information remaining encrypted and under district control.
Despite assurances, some residents remain skeptical. Some teachers suggested the robot could be a precursor to replacing human staff. Beehler argued that for isolated districts like Salamanca, introducing cutting-edge technology is crucial for leveling the playing field and motivating students in STEAM fields. However, some graduates and community members believe the focus should be on hiring more educators and fostering human interaction rather than integrating robots into the learning environment.