Humanoid Robot in NY High School Sparks Teacher Backlash 2026

The introduction of a humanoid robot named Sally at Salamanca High School in New York has ignited fierce backlash from teachers, who call the pilot program “really inappropriate” and a threat to the teaching profession. The robot, part of a broader AI teaching assistant initiative, is the first of its kind deployed in a U.S. school district, but its connection to a company with a history of manufacturing sex dolls has deepened concerns.

What Is the Humanoid Robot Program?

The Cattaraugus County school district purchased the Realbotix M-Series humanoid robot for $57,590. According to a press release, Sally uses natural conversation, facial expressions, and real-time interaction to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences. The system is a closed-loop design but will be available virtually to students 24/7, offering personalized learning options. The district claims Salamanca is the first in the U.S. to deploy such technology.

Teachers’ Union Voices Strong Opposition

Lacey Pihlblad, president of the Salamanca Teachers’ Association and a teacher at the high school, expressed serious doubts. “The Salamanca teachers’ union as a whole is concerned about the background of the company of Realbotix. We’re very concerned about the security of the software that they’re implementing, and whether or not the data will be stored, how it will be gathered, are the recording capabilities,” she said. Teachers also feel the robot dehumanizes the profession and undermines the human connection essential to education.

Cultural and Ethical Concerns

Local Native American residents on the Allegany territory of the Seneca nation have criticized the program as “culturally tone deaf.” The pilot comes amid ongoing debates about the role of technology in classrooms and the erosion of traditional teaching values. Critics argue that replacing human interaction with robots is particularly insensitive in a community that values interpersonal relationships and cultural preservation.

Realbotix’s Controversial Past

Realbotix, formerly Tokens.com, a Toronto-based company, pivoted from crypto to humanoid robots after purchasing Simulacra, a Las Vegas company known for realistic sex dolls, for $16.7 million in April 2024. The company has denied ties to the sex doll business and insists that the dolls manufactured by Abyss Creations are unrelated to the educational pilot. However, the connection has fueled skepticism among educators and parents alike.

Key Takeaways

• Humanoid robot Sally is deployed at Salamanca High School for $57,590.
• Teachers’ union cites security, data privacy, and dehumanization concerns.
• Realbotix has a controversial history with a sex doll manufacturer.
• Native American community finds the pilot culturally inappropriate.
• District claims the robot will offer 24/7 personalized learning.

FAQ

As the debate over AI in classrooms intensifies, the Salamanca pilot serves as a flashpoint for broader questions about technology’s role in education, ethics, and community trust. Whether Sally will remain in the classroom or be removed remains to be seen, but the controversy has already sparked national conversation.