Salamanca High School Introduces Humanoid Robot Amid Criticism

A humanoid robot named Sally and an AI teaching assistant are being introduced at Salamanca High School in New York as part of a pilot program, despite facing criticism from teachers and Native American residents. The robot, costing $57,590, is designed to offer personalized learning and is accessible virtually 24/7. However, teachers argue it dehumanizes the teaching profession and raises security concerns, while Native American residents criticize the program’s cultural insensitivity, especially given the school’s significant Native American population and historical traumas related to boarding schools. Realbotix, the company behind the robot, has denied any connection to its subsidiary’s sex doll manufacturing, sparking further distrust. The New York State Department of Education has expressed concerns over student privacy and the appropriate use of technology in classrooms. Amid the controversy, the Salamanca Teachers’ Association and the New York State United Teachers have called for a pause in the program’s implementation until more stakeholders can weigh in.