SALAMANCA, N.Y. — The Salamanca School District is no stranger to robotic technology.
“We have a robotics program. We have students who are studying robots. Let’s get the cutting edge latest technology for them to learn from,” said Mark Beehler, superintendent, Salamanca School District.
But it’s back to the drawing board for the Salamanca School District, as its plan to acquire a nearly $60,000 humanoid robot named Sally was recently paused.
“I think it was more disappointing that this turned into something that it really wasn’t,” said Beehler.
Leaders say the curriculum-based, robot powered by artificial intelligence looked to enhance the district’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, or STEAM, program.
It was also designed to teach students the ethical and appropriate use of the technology.
“Our job is to prepare students to be ready to go to work,” said Beehler. “We need to be on top of that. We need to understand what the workforce is demanding.”
After the plan was rolled out, the district faced intense backlash, as parents, the community and state teachers union were concerned the technology would violate student privacy and aim to replace teachers.
“There is no audio recording. There is no video recording. It doesn’t know who it’s talking to,” said Beehler. “The last thing we want to do in any school is replace a human being with any type of machine. Teaching is a person-to-person, human-to-human job.”
It also caught the attention of the state education commissioner, who sent a letter to the superintendent raising concerns and asking for a project review.
“When it comes to local decision, I respect local decision, until such time as it interferes with student privacy,” said Betty Rosa, commissioner, New York State Education Department.
While the manufacturer is working on a data protection agreement with the state, the robot contained a number of safeguards and was programmed not to be inappropriate.
“It was really to have a robot for our students studying robotics — that’s it,” said Beehler.
The superintendent admits Sally should not have been called a teaching assistant or had a human face, but is hopeful the project will move forward.
He says unlike the social media distractions that led to a statewide ban on cellphones in school, AI does have a place in the classroom.
“Our students, and I think students across the state and the country, need to understand the role of artificial intelligence in a school, its role in society and in the workplace. How they can utilize it effectively without getting misinformation or biased information from it,” said Beehler.
There is no word yet on how long the project will remain on hold.
Sally would not be the first of its kind robot, as leaders say a school in California introduced two AI-powered robots last year.
The chair of the Committee on Education in the New York State Senate introduced legislation late last month that would prohibit school districts, charter schools and BOCES from using AI-driven humanoid robots for classroom instruction or teaching support. The bill currently sits in the Senate Rules Committee.
The president of New York State United Teachers, Melinda Person, released a statement in July, saying:
“A robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms.
“Our students don’t need robots. They need real relationships with caring adults. Educators notice when students are struggling, celebrate when they succeed and help them discover who they can become. No robot can do that, no matter how lifelike its skin or specific its regional accent.
“NYSUT is committed to fighting thoughtless expansion of this technology, and we will explore every avenue necessary to protect human-centered learning in Salamanca and in every classroom across this state.”