A New York High School Is Getting an AI-Powered Robot Assistant. Parents and Teachers Have Concerns

The Salamanca City Central School District signed a $57,590 contract with robotics startup Realbotix to introduce an AI-powered humanoid robot and tutoring system into select high school technology classes starting in September. The district, located about 60 miles south of Buffalo, announced the partnership last week. The robot, named Sally, is a stationary Realbotix M-series model designed with silicone skin and facial movements to mimic human appearance. It will use natural conversation and real-time interaction to encourage student participation, while the company's Optio AI model will serve as an at-home tutor. Human educators will remain in classrooms to do most of the teaching and monitor the robot's responses. Optio will initially be available to students in AI and robotics classes, with plans to expand to 500 students in the fall. Superintendent Mark Beehler said banning AI is not the solution and that schools must teach proper use of technology. The announcement drew criticism from the teachers union and some community members. New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said the future of education relies on authentic human intelligence, not artificial intelligence. A NYSUT spokesperson said teachers were not consulted and the contract money could hire two human teaching assistants. Parent Sierra Abrams called the technology an inappropriate imposition given existing community issues. Realbotix said the program is intended to complement, not replace, teachers. The district serves 1,300 students on the Allegany Indian Reservation, with roughly four in five students economically disadvantaged.