A New York school district is preparing to introduce a humanoid robot powered by artificial intelligence into classrooms this fall, making it among the first districts in the country to introduce the technology as a classroom assistant.
Salamanca City Central School District in Western New York has partnered with Toronto-based robotics company Realbotix to deploy the robot, named Sally, along with an AI teaching assistant program designed to support students and educators.
The district approved the purchase of the robot for $57,590, according to a contract attached to the school board agenda.
Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel said the discounted price was below the company’s listed starting price of $95,000 for the M-Series model.
Sally will have a human-like appearance with silicone skin, long brown hair, facial expressions, and upper-body movement, though it will remain stationary in the classroom, according to NewsNation.
The robot will initially be used at Salamanca High School in AI and robotics courses that follow curriculum developed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Students will also have access to an AI teaching assistant through an avatar on their laptops, allowing them to receive academic support outside regular classroom hours.
The system is designed to provide personalized assistance based on student interactions and course materials.
Salamanca Superintendent Mark Beehler said the district decided to embrace the technology rather than prohibit students from using AI tools independently.
“Many schools are taking the easy solution of simply banning it, but I have found that students will find a way around most rules that schools put in place,” Beehler said.
He added that schools should teach students how to properly use emerging technologies instead of excluding them.
The announcement has sparked debate among parents, educators, and online critics over the role of artificial intelligence in classrooms.
Salamanca serves approximately 1,300 students and is located entirely within the Seneca Nation reservation.
About 32 percent of students identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, and 79 percent are considered economically disadvantaged.
Some community members questioned whether introducing AI technology should be a priority for the district.
“We already have so many issues in our community, including environmental issues. I just don’t understand the concept of adding AI onto that,” local parent Sierra Abrams told New York Focus.
She said she believed bringing the technology into schools conflicted with community values.
Concerns have also focused on Realbotix’s history as a company.
The company acquired Simulacra Corporation, the parent company of RealDoll, which produces hyperrealistic adult sex dolls, in 2024.
Realbotix has said its education division operates separately from RealDoll and shares no employees, technology, or facilities with the company’s adult product, according to TechSpot.
Realbotix and district officials said safeguards are in place to protect students. District officials said the system will operate on a closed network and will not provide Realbotix access to personally identifiable student information.
The district said the technology will not include facial recognition or recording features.
Officials said the robot is intended to assist teachers rather than replace them.
The district plans to evaluate the program based on feedback from students and educators, while supporters argue AI tools could expand access to tutoring and encourage more students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
