In a rural area of upstate New York, a school district has decided to pause its plans to introduce an AI-driven humanoid robot in the classroom following concerns raised by local educators, residents, and state educational authorities. The Salamanca City Central School District had previously approved a budget of nearly $60,000 for the robot, affectionately named “Sally,” which was intended to enhance robotics and technology education for high school students.
Superintendent Mark Beehler expressed enthusiasm about the robot’s potential to assist students struggling with programming tasks, stating, “Having a difficult time programming an Arduino board? Ask Sally and she can explain it.” He emphasized that the robot would also provide students with hands-on experience in maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting.
However, as word spread throughout the tight-knit community, apprehensions emerged regarding the handling of students' personal data. Teachers, represented by the New York State United Teachers union, expressed particular alarm over Realbotix, the robot's manufacturer, citing its connections to a company that produces hyper-realistic sex dolls. “A robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms,” declared Melinda Person, the union’s president.
At present, the initiative is on hold while the school district seeks to address key concerns regarding student data privacy with state educational officials and to engage with the community through additional discussions, as noted in a recent Facebook update from the district.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa reiterated her reservations about the robot’s intended role, highlighting discrepancies in its characterization as a "tutoring platform" despite assurances that it wouldn’t be used for instruction. Residents have additionally voiced worries about the data privacy measures that would be implemented to protect students.
Teachers have also articulated concerns that this could signal a move toward replacing human educators altogether. According to Person, “Our students don’t need robots. They need real relationships with caring adults.”
Despite these concerns, Beehler defended the pilot program, which also plans to include a virtual, AI-based teacher’s assistant and an online tutoring program, asserting, “There is no possible way a robot can replace a human in a school.” He underscored the importance of human interaction in teaching and learning.
Beehler, who connected with Realbotix through a former colleague, noted that the company’s products align with the district's curriculum, which incorporates WozEd, a learning program developed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
In a similar vein, a San Diego charter school recently invested $500,000 in two AI robots from UK-based Engineered Arts, indicating a growing trend in educational settings.
The Salamanca City Central School District has claimed that “Sally” will not collect any personal information from students, nor will she record audio or video or transmit data back to Realbotix. Furthermore, the robot has been programmed to avoid inappropriate topics and will store information locally, consuming energy comparable to that of a laptop.
Responding to the criticisms, Realbotix clarified that student authentication would rely on existing district systems and that student-related information would remain encrypted and securely managed. The company maintains that “Sally” is not a repurposed sex doll but a specially designed educational tool, emphasizing the distinct operational frameworks of Realbotix and its sister company, Intima, which owns RealDoll.
While Beehler argues for the necessity of embracing advanced technology to support education in remote districts like Salamanca, some community members remain skeptical. Joplin Ficek, a recent graduate, suggested that the school should focus on hiring more dedicated educators rather than turning to robots. “They just need to hire more people who are willing to put in the effort for the children,” she remarked, questioning the benefits of robotic intervention in the educational environment.
