Salamanca plans to use robot teacher assistants. NYSUT is appalled

ALBANY — Sally, a new teacher’s assistant in the Salamanca School District, has an oval face and bee-stung lips reminiscent of Angelina Jolie. But since she won’t eat it, there’s no need to leave the apple on the desk. Until now.

According to Sally’s maker, the three-dimensional artificial intelligence-equipped robot can also be used as a conversational avatar on students’ devices, and can reproduce human facial expressions and upper body movements. In the next few weeks, Sally will be interacting with students in a school district located south of Buffalo, along the Pennsylvania state line.

They sit on chairs in the classroom just like humans. It cannot walk or connect to the internet and uses AI to provide human-like answers to students, but it is not connected to an AI data center.

“A robot in the classroom is basically like having a computer in the classroom,” said Salamanca Schools Superintendent Mark Beeler. “This can’t replace the educator. It’s basically sitting in a chair like a computer terminal.”

Realbotix, which is owned by the same company that makes a line of sex robots called RealDolls, said the humanoid device “will use natural speech, facial expressions, and real-time interactions to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences. The robot is intended to encourage student engagement and provide early exposure to emerging technology.”

Sally will cost the district $57,590 and is the first humanoid robot installed in classrooms by Realbotix.

The state teachers union is appalled, saying Salamanca’s use of Sally is a step in the wrong direction as schools seek to limit screen time and the use of AI.

“Robots made by sex doll companies have no use in our classrooms,” said Melinda Parson, president of the New York State United Teachers Association.

The district said Sally will work with a “small group of students” enrolled in the high school’s science, technology, engineering, art and math programs.

The official said NYSUT will try to prevent local officials and other school districts following the same path from converting to robot educators.

“NYSUT is committed to combating the thoughtless expansion of this technology and will explore every step necessary to protect human-centered learning in Salamanca and every classroom across this state,” Parson said.

Beeler said he agrees with Parson’s opinion.

“Human interaction is absolutely critical, and we’ve learned that it’s increased tenfold during the pandemic,” he said. “But thoughtless expansions are already happening – ChatGPT and Claude – the difference here is that we’ve put thought into safe, accurate, teacher-controlled AI.”

He believes that Sally cannot hallucinate because she only uses the information in her physical hard drive and is programmed to say “I don’t know” if she doesn’t have an answer. It also doesn’t help students, Beeler said.

He said part of the motivation was the idea of ​​finally bringing something to rural districts before big-city schools take over. He said it was “obvious” to students who traveled to big cities for competitions how much of an asset their schools lacked.

“For us, this is about some level of equity. We don’t have the opportunities that students in New York City have,” Beeler said.

But early adoption comes at a price. He said he has been inundated with calls from the media all week.

“We just happened to be the first. At this point, I really hope that’s not the case,” he said.

Beeler has had to contend with the proliferation of TikTok users using AI to create videos mocking Sally. He said the videos do not use real images of the robots and are often highly inaccurate in terms of their abilities and the way they speak.

But he added that he had no intention of “picking a fight” with the teachers’ union.

Persson said robots can’t do that job. “Educators notice when students struggle, celebrate when they succeed, and help students discover who they can become.” “No matter how realistic your skin is or how unique your regional accent is, robots can’t do that.”

Parson also advocated removing cell phones from schools, limiting the use of AI on young students’ school-issued Chromebooks, and increasing recess time.

“Our students don’t need robots,” she said. “They need real relationships with caring adults.”

Students have been piloting the program since April, providing feedback that will help develop the final version of Realbotix. Beeler said she is happy with Sally.

“When students ask questions, the robot guides them through the learning process rather than completing tasks for them,” the district said in an announcement, adding that this “encourages critical thinking and accelerates learning.”

The district said the robot was programmed “using only district-approved curriculum, instructional strategies, and Salamanca historical information.”

Beeler said Surrey does not store personal information about students.

“The system also includes extensive safety guardrails that steer conversations away from inappropriate topics and back toward educational content,” the announcement said.