The Salamanca City Central School District in upstate New York has temporarily halted its plan to introduce a humanoid AI robot named "Sally" into classrooms. The district's board had approved the nearly $60,000 purchase from Realbotix, with the intention that the robot would assist high school students in technology and robotics courses by explaining concepts and troubleshooting issues.
However, the decision faced significant opposition from state education officials, teachers' unions, and community members. Key concerns included the potential misuse of student data and the manufacturer's connection to a company that produces hyper-realistic sex dolls. New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person stated that a robot produced by a company associated with sex dolls is inappropriate for classrooms, emphasizing that students need human interaction with caring adults.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa also expressed concerns, noting that a presentation to the school board characterized the robot as a "tutoring platform" despite assurances it would not deliver direct instruction. Rosa highlighted the need for robust data privacy and security protections.
District Superintendent Mark Beehler clarified that the pilot program, which also includes a virtual AI assistant and at-home tutoring, is not intended to replace human teachers. He stressed that teaching is fundamentally a human-to-human process and that a robot cannot replicate that. Beehler explained that Realbotix was chosen because its robots are programmed with WozEd, a curriculum the district already uses, and that the company's offerings are designed for educational and healthcare applications.
Realbotix has stated that its educational units are newly manufactured and distinct from its sister company's adult products, asserting that the two entities operate independently with separate management, manufacturing, and market strategies. The company also stated that student authentication would be handled through the district's existing systems, with any linked information remaining encrypted and under district control. Realbotix also added that the robot is programmed to avoid inappropriate topics and will not access the public internet.
Despite these assurances, some residents remain unconvinced. Community members have raised questions about the role of AI in education and voiced a preference for increased human staffing over robotic presence. The district is currently working on enhanced student data privacy agreements with state officials and engaging in further community outreach as it evaluates the robot pilot.