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‘Really inappropriate’: teachers decry plan for humanoid robot in New York high school
The Guardian ^ | 07/25/2026 | Michael Sainato

Posted on 07/26/2026 9:21:28 AM PDT by DFG

A humanoid robot is being introduced as part of a pilot program, along with an AI teaching assistant, at Salamanca high school in Salamanca, New York, located on the Allegany territory of the Seneca nation.

Teachers have criticized the program, deeming it “inappropriate” and claiming it dehumanizes the profession with the introduction of human-like robots. Some local Native American residents have also criticized the pilot program, citing its implementation as “culturally tone deaf”.

The robot, named Sally, was purchased by the Cattaraugus county school district – which includes Salamanca high school – for $57,590. According to a presentation on the program, Sally will be a closed-loop system, but available virtually to students 24/7 for those with access, and offers personalized learning options.

The district will be the first in the US to deploy a humanoid robot and AI teaching assistant, according to a press release by Realbotix.

“The Salamanca pilot also includes deployment of a Realbotix M-Series humanoid robot, which uses natural conversation, facial expressions and real-time interaction to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences,” the press release states.

Realbotix, formerly Tokens.com, a Toronto-based company, purchased Simulacra, a Las Vegas-based company known for realistic sex dolls, for $16.7m in April 2024, marking a pivot for the company from crypto to humanoid robots.

Realbotix has denied ties to the sex doll company, and denied any inferences that the dolls – manufactured by Abyss Creations, a subsidiary of Realbotix – are related to the pilot program.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Education; Humor; Local News
KEYWORDS: ai; bots; datacenters; grauniad; humanoidrobot; investing; michaelsainato; newyork; nvidia; realbotix; salamanca; sally; seneca

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1 posted on 07/26/2026 9:21:28 AM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/nyregion/robot-school-new-york-salamanca.html

https://nysfocus.com/2026/07/24/new-york-robot-teacher-plan-paused

https://www.inc.com/georgia-fearn/new-york-school-ai-humanoid-robot-realbotix-onconetix-realdoll/91376080

https://www.nysut.org/news/2026/july/media-release-robots


2 posted on 07/26/2026 9:22:30 AM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

Dude! Teacher is hawt!


3 posted on 07/26/2026 9:25:20 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: DFG

Within 10 minutes of class, somebody’s going walk up from behind and put a trash can over her head, while the rest of the class stares, claps and records.
Or maybe ‘she’ will conduct the class along with a human assistant (i.e. protector, which would, of course defeat the purpose of paying for the robot in the first place.


4 posted on 07/26/2026 9:26:17 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: DFG

Its bizarre

Salamanca NY is a a kind of Soviet-Upstate NY Yankee Appalachia or rural Eastern Europe. Its isolated mountains and valleys, trailer homes, and poverty, where all the jobs have left long ago, and most people live off welfare or the local Indian Casino

And now they propose having dressed-up sex robots teaching kids.

It’s hard to know if this is purposeful top-down socialist planned destruction, or just local ignorance and stupidity, or some of both.


5 posted on 07/26/2026 9:27:16 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: DFG

A certain Canadian ‘Shop Teacher’ is volunteering to teach class for free if he can dress as he wishes to dress.
He has left multiple messages, all unanswered so far.


6 posted on 07/26/2026 9:31:29 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: DFG

The teachers are afraid that the kids might actually learn something useful.

Like some real history, how to fill out a job application or some personal finance.

Its not the robot trying to teach kids on how to put a rubber on a zucchini, or 100 pronouns. That’s the teachers job.


7 posted on 07/26/2026 9:35:34 AM PDT by desertfreedom765
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To: DFG

Retired teacher here. Teaching is one profession where AI would make a lot of sense. It’s gonna happen. The trick will be to make sure that the programming is politically neutral.

But a silly robot?
It would be confusing, especially for small kids.
No thanks.


8 posted on 07/26/2026 9:37:00 AM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: lee martell

“...Within 10 minutes of class...”
-
And how long before the boys unbutton the robot’s blouse?


9 posted on 07/26/2026 9:43:48 AM PDT by Repeal The 17th ( I am obsessed with not being obsessed with anything.)
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To: DFG

Do these robo-”teachers” have interchangeable “TSA junk” like the Somali colored dolls that Tiny Timmy Tampon Walz the Nat’l Guard kabuki sergeant major is handing out for free to all the “Skinny” students up in Minnesomalia?


10 posted on 07/26/2026 10:03:31 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (The crap going on in America ISN'T immigration. It's friggin' colonization. America is falling.)
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To: DFG
The robot, named Sally, was purchased by the Cattaraugus county school district
– which includes Salamanca high school – for $57,590.

Is said robot anatomically correct?

11 posted on 07/26/2026 10:13:17 AM PDT by chief lee runamok (tek grudaute, quality learing center)
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To: PGR88

There are countries which have used robots in the classroom for teaching since 2018, IIRC.
Human looking robots are just the latest iterations.


12 posted on 07/26/2026 10:13:50 AM PDT by sockmonkey (Conservative. Not a Neocon. )
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To: DFG

A one time purchase that can be upgradedblikelybnfornlessnthan paying another yearssalary.


13 posted on 07/26/2026 10:28:07 AM PDT by DouglasKC
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To: DFG

A one time purchase that can be upgradedblikelybnfornlessnthan paying another yearssalary.


14 posted on 07/26/2026 10:28:13 AM PDT by DouglasKC
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To: DFG

Ok my fellow patriots I know what you are thinking.


15 posted on 07/26/2026 10:29:58 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: DFG

Change its name to Bob and enjoy.


16 posted on 07/26/2026 10:30:58 AM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: Repeal The 17th

Has her South America been simulated?


17 posted on 07/26/2026 10:31:31 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: DFG

Would be better dressed in military garb and if touched responds accordingly.


18 posted on 07/26/2026 10:32:07 AM PDT by goodnesswins (Most Congress Critters should be referred to as what they are....LOOTERS)
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To: chief lee runamok

Has she been “sanitized for your protection”?


19 posted on 07/26/2026 10:33:25 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: DFG

At the end of each school day does she park herself under the principal’s desk?


20 posted on 07/26/2026 10:35:48 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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