For better or worse, AI has wormed its way into America’s classrooms, and is showing no signs of leaving anytime soon. Now, humanoid robots are making an entrance for the first time.
A robotic teaching assistant named “Sally” could be heading to classrooms in New York State this autumn. Sally is set to have a “lifelike appearance” with silicone skin and long brown hair, according to Andrew Kiguel, CEO of Realbotix, the start-up behind the new teaching assistant.
In an interview with New York Focus, he said the robot will be stationary and seated but have a “wide range” of upper-body movements and facial expressions. Students will reportedly be able to talk to the robot to get personalized learning support based on the data it has stored on their progress, after identifying themselves with their unique student ID.
Fittingly, the robot will initially only be used in the school’s specialized AI and robotics course, but may be rolled out to other subjects later based on the success of the pilot. The course was designed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to get more children interested in STEM.
Sally will make its debut at Salamanca High School, on the Allegany Indian Reservation, about 60 miles south of Buffalo, teaching 11th and 12th graders. The product is set to cost the district $57,590, according to the contract posted by the school board, highlighted by New York Focus.
Many residents of Salamanca, which has above-average levels of poverty, have expressed opposition to the new teacher.
“We already have so many issues in our community, including environmental issues. I just don’t understand the concept of adding AI onto that,” local parent Sierra Abrams told the news organization.
“Bringing it into the school district is contradicting everything we believe, in my opinion.”
But the school district has tried to soothe parents’ concerns. In an official statement posted earlier this month, it said the robot will “never replace teachers, staff members, or meaningful human interaction” and that human teachers will “remain at the center of every learning experience.”
In addition, the school confirmed the new robot will not store students’ personal data, send data back to its parent company, or record any video or audio.
The roll-out of AI in schools is still hotly contested by some. The New Yorker reported earlier this year that grassroots lobbying groups are calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to declare a two-year moratorium on the use of generative AI in New York City schools.
PCMag and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.