A New York school district has put its plans for an AI-powered classroom robot on hold following concerns about student privacy and the manufacturer’s connection to a company associated with lifelike sex dolls.
The Salamanca City Central School District announced last week that it is pausing the rollout of “Sally,” a humanoid robot purchased from Realbotix, while it works with the New York State Education Department on enhanced student data privacy agreements and continues discussions with the community.
State Officials Raise Concerns
The decision follows a letter from New York Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, who questioned whether the technology belongs in classrooms and whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect students.
“The Department remains concerned about the effect that a humanoid robot may have within a high-school classroom,” Rosa wrote, adding that many parents, teachers and other stakeholders were “understandably concerned” about the growing use of artificial intelligence in schools.
Rosa also questioned the robot’s role after district presentations described Sally as a tutoring platform, despite school officials saying it would not provide classroom instruction.
What Is Sally?
The district, which serves about 1,300 students in western New York — including a student body that is roughly one-third American Indian or Alaska Native and is located on the Seneca Nation reservation — approved the purchase in June.
The $57,590 pilot program included Sally, a seated humanoid robot with silicone skin, long brown hair and movable facial features, along with an AI-powered virtual teaching assistant. The package represented a discounted price from its approximately $95,000 retail value.
Sally was designed to support high school robotics and artificial intelligence courses built around curriculum developed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Students would have been able to ask the robot technical questions, receive help with programming and robotics concepts, and learn how to maintain and troubleshoot the system.
The accompanying AI assistant would also have been available through students’ laptops, offering homework assistance, feedback, and real-time translation in more than 100 languages.
District Says Student Data Would Remain Secure
School officials said Sally was never intended to replace teachers.
“There is no possible way a robot can replace a human in a school,” Superintendent Mark Beehler said, describing teaching as a “human-to-human process.”
The district also emphasized that Sally was designed with strict privacy protections, saying the robot:
- Does not use facial recognition.
- Does not record audio or video.
- Does not collect students’ personal information.
- Operates on a closed local network without internet access.
- Cannot access public AI platforms or unapproved online content.
- Is programmed to avoid topics including sex, violence, and gambling.
Realbotix said student authentication would occur through the district’s existing systems and that any student information would remain encrypted and under district control.
Manufacturer’s Ties Spark Controversy
Much of the criticism centered on Realbotix’s corporate connections rather than the robot itself.
Realbotix previously operated under the name Tokens.com and acquired Simulacra in 2024, the parent company of RealDoll, a longtime manufacturer of hyper realistic sex dolls and AI companion robots.
The company has maintained that its educational robotics division operates independently, with separate management, staff, facilities and product development.
Even so, the association drew criticism from educators.
“A robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms,” said Melinda Person, president of the New York State United Teachers.
Teachers also expressed broader concerns that AI technologies could eventually diminish the role of educators.
Community Divided Over AI In Schools
The proposal has divided the Salamanca community.
Some residents and parents have supported introducing students to emerging technologies that could prepare them for future careers in artificial intelligence, robotics and STEM fields.
Others questioned whether the district’s resources would be better spent hiring additional teachers instead of investing in AI-powered technology.
Former Salamanca High School student Joplin Ficek said students need more interaction with educators rather than robots.
Beehler has defended the initiative, arguing that rural school districts should not fall behind in adopting new technologies. He also said banning AI outright is not a practical solution because students will continue using the technology outside the classroom.
What’s Next?
For now, Sally will remain out of the classroom while the district works with state officials to strengthen student data privacy protections and gather additional community input.
Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel said the company wants the program to be “demonstrably safe, fully district-approved, and strongly supported by teachers.”
Whether the humanoid robot ultimately joins students in Salamanca classrooms this school year remains uncertain as state officials continue reviewing the proposal.
Provided by Dallas Express
