NewzNEW YORK (AP) — A school district in a rural corner of upstate New York is hitting pause on plans to deploy an AI-powered, humanoid robot in the classroom after state education officials, teachers and local residents raised concerns, including the maker's ties to a company that produces hyper realistic sex bots.The Salamanca City Central School District's board approved the nearly $60,000 purchase from Realbotix with visions that “Sally,” as the stationary robot with long dark hair has already been nicknamed, would enhance the education of high school students studying robotics and technology fields.“Having a difficult time programming an Arduino board? Don’t even know what an Arduino board is? Ask Sally and she can explain it,” Superintendent Mark Beehler, said Tuesday.
“The robot also provides opportunities for students to learn how the robot is maintained, how it is updated with new approved content, and how to troubleshoot issues.”But as news spread in the small community located on the Seneca Nation of Indians reservation, parents and teachers worried about how students' personal information would be used. Unionized teachers took aim at Realbotix's sex doll sister company, even as district officials and the company itself stressed the two manufacturers operate independently.“A robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms,” said Melinda Person, president of the labor union New York State United Teachers.For now, the robot pilot remains on hold as the district works through “enhanced student data privacy agreements” with the state education officials and continues outreach to the community, according to a statement the district posted Friday on its Facebook page.State officials and teacher voice concernsState Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said she remained concerned about the robot’s role in the classroom even after her staff met with district officials.“Although you confirmed that the robot would not have any role delivering classroom instruction, a recent presentation to the board characterized the robot as a ‘tutoring platform,' ” Rosa wrote in a letter to the district Friday.She also echoed residents’ concerns about what data privacy and security protections would be in place.Unionized teachers, meanwhile, suggested the effort was a first step toward replacing, flesh-and-bone educators. Two candidates are vying for the Broward County School Board District 4 seat.
Leer en españolThe seat is currently held by Lori Alhadeff, who is not seeking reelection. Running in the election are Sharry Adler Kimmel, who received Aldaheff’s endorsement, and Nicole Morst, who is endorsed by School Board Member Debbi Hixon. District 4 includes Coral Springs, Margate, North Lauderdale, Parkland and Tamarac.“I am a champion of teachers,” said Kimmel.
“I teach teachers how to be teachers, and I am a subject matter expert with a doctorate degree in education on all things K-12. I have budget experience, I have teaching experience, classroom experience, and I also have a lot of leadership experience.”Said Morst: “I have been advocating for teachers and families in this district for the last nine years. I served as the North Area Advisory Chair this year, which represents nearly 70 schools in the north region of Broward County.
I worked with the principals, the teachers, the parents to make sure that their concerns were heard and their needs are met.”Both candidates discussed their approaches to tackling the district’s declining student enrollment and severe budget challenges.“If we expect families to keep sending their kids to Broward schools, we have to invest in their facilities,” said Morst. “We have schools that have mold and broken ACs. And these conditions are not acceptable for our parents.”Added Kimmel: “The first priority is to get the fiscal house in order.
We have assets and we have to monetize those as if it was an emergency because it is.”Both candidates also addressed school safety and improvements.“So part of my platform, once we monetize our assets, is to have bulletproof glass in every one of those panels at every single school,” said Kimmel. “So if worst thing happens, worst case scenario and an active shooter makes their way somehow through all the other safety nets onto the campus, they can never do that again. They can never shoot through that glass.”Said Morst: “I am the only one with a child that is currently enrolled and so I am in it every day.
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