Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Teachers Oppose Humanoid Robot Classroom Trial
Teachers and local residents are upset about a plan to introduce a humanoid robot named Sally into Salamanca High School in New York.
They think it's a bad idea because it reduces human interaction and is culturally insensitive, especially since the school has many Native American students.
The robot costs $57,590 and is meant to help with learning, but teachers say students should have less technology, not more.
The company making the robot, Realbotix, says it's just meant to help teachers, not replace them.
The state education department is also worried about student privacy and safety.
Teachers want to include protections against AI in their new contract.
Teachers and local residents criticize the introduction of a humanoid robot in Salamanca High School as inappropriate and dehumanizing.
The robot, named Sally, costs $57,590 and is intended to provide personalized learning and 24/7 availability to students.
Local Native American residents find the program culturally tone-deaf, especially given the school's significant Native American population.
Teachers argue that students should be exposed to less technology and that the robot's implementation is a step in the wrong direction.
The state education department has raised concerns about student privacy, safeguards, and the risk of the robot performing functions that should remain the responsibility of trained professionals.
- Who
- Teachers, local residents, Salamanca High School, Realbotix
- What
- Introduction of a humanoid robot and AI teaching assistant in the classroom
- When
- Pilot program scheduled for fall 2026
- Where
- Salamanca High School, Salamanca, New York
- Why
- To provide personalized learning and 24/7 availability to students, but teachers and residents oppose it as inappropriate and dehumanizing
Teachers and Local Residents
School District and Realbotix
Appropriateness of Robot in Classroom
Teachers and Local Residents
Teachers and local residents find the introduction of a humanoid robot inappropriate and dehumanizing, arguing that it reduces human interaction in education.
School District and Realbotix
The school district and Realbotix believe the robot will complement teaching and provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Cultural Sensitivity
Teachers and Local Residents
Local Native American residents criticize the program as culturally tone-deaf, especially given the school's significant Native American population.
School District and Realbotix
Realbotix maintains that the pilot is intended to complement teachers and provide supervised access to AI and robotics.
Technology in Education
Teachers and Local Residents
Teachers argue that students should be exposed to less technology and that the robot's implementation is a step in the wrong direction.
School District and Realbotix
The school district sees the robot as a tool for personalized learning and 24/7 availability to students.
- School
- Salamanca High School, Salamanca, New York
- Robot Name
- Sally
- Cost of Robot
- $57,590
- Company
- Realbotix
- Pilot Program Start
- Fall 2026
- Teacher Union
- Salamanca Teachers’ Association
- State Education Concern
- Student privacy, safeguards, and professional responsibilities