The Salamanca City Central School District in Western New York plans to introduce a humanoid robot named Sally into classrooms this fall. The robot will function as a teacher's assistant, supporting both educators and students as the district explores the integration of artificial intelligence into its curriculum.
The district will acquire Sally from the tech company Realbotix, along with an AI teacher's assistant program that enables students to interact with the robot via their laptops. This initiative aims to provide hands-on experience with AI and robotics, particularly in STEM education.
Andrew Kiguel, CEO of Realbotix, stated that the deployment marks a significant step in incorporating humanoid robots and AI assistants as standard tools in STEM education. Sally is designed to be lifelike, with silicone skin and the ability to display facial expressions and upper-body movements. The robot is programmed to personalize interactions, recognizing students by unique IDs to access their learning history and tailor responses, allowing for continuity in discussions.
Mark Beehler, Superintendent of the Salamanca district, emphasized the importance of teaching students proper technology use rather than simply banning AI tools. He noted that students often find ways to circumvent restrictions, making direct instruction on ethical and effective usage more beneficial.
Realbotix has confirmed that the robot and its accompanying AI assistant are custom-built educational tools designed for the Salamanca district, operating under teacher and district oversight. The company has also stated that education-specific safeguards are in place, and Realbotix will not have access to student data. Kiguel highlighted the collaborative process with the Salamanca School District, whose commitment to STEM education aligns with Realbotix's mission to provide practical, real-world learning experiences in robotics and coding, prioritizing student engagement and data privacy.