An AI-powered robot assistant is being introduced in a New York school district, giving students hands-on experience with artificial intelligence while raising questions about how the technology could shape classrooms in Central New York.
The Salamanca City Central School District, located about an hour south of Buffalo, is introducing an AI-powered robot assistant called Sally as part of a pilot program involving a small group of students in STEAM courses.
According to the district, the program is designed to give students hands-on experience with artificial intelligence while encouraging them to think critically about the information the technology provides.
The robot will use educational content approved by the school district.
School leaders have emphasized that the technology is intended to support teachers rather than replace them.
The introduction of Sally comes as schools across New York and the country continue to navigate the growing role of artificial intelligence in education. Students are increasingly exposed to AI tools for research, writing and other academic work, prompting educators to consider how the technology can be used responsibly in the classroom.
The move also raises questions about whether similar technology could eventually be introduced in Central New York schools.
The New York State United Teachers union has raised concerns about using technology to replicate human interaction in schools.
“We don’t want to simulate human relationships; we want real human relationships and for our students to learn how to form them organically,” Melinda Person said.
For now, Salamanca’s program will serve as a pilot, allowing school leaders to evaluate how students respond to learning alongside an AI-powered robot.
The program could also provide a glimpse into the future of technology in the classroom as educators, parents and school districts continue to debate the appropriate role of artificial intelligence in education.
The Salamanca district’s pilot program will offer an opportunity to examine how AI-powered technology affects student learning and whether it can serve as a useful classroom tool while keeping teachers at the center of education.