New York School Introduces Realistic AI Robot Teacher from Sex Doll Maker

This fall, high school students in Salamanca, western New York, will encounter a unique new teacher named "Sally," a highly realistic humanoid robot developed by Canadian company Realbotix. Sally features silicone skin, long hair, and a wide range of facial expressions and upper body movements. Purchased for about $57,000, she will serve as an AI teaching assistant and tutor, supporting students in technology classes based on a curriculum developed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Students will log in with personal codes, allowing Sally to track their progress and provide tailored help. Teachers can also rely on her for lesson reminders. If successful, the district plans to expand the program to over 500 students and other subjects. Sally’s software platform, Optio, enables students to interact with her digital avatar from home 24/7 for homework feedback, lesson preparation, and real-time translation in over 100 languages.

However, the initiative has sparked controversy due to Realbotix’s acquisition in April 2024 of RealDoll, a company known for hyper-realistic sex dolls and sex robots. Although the companies operate separately and will soon be legally split, this connection has raised discomfort among some. The school assures that Sally operates on a closed network without internet access or facial recognition to protect student privacy. Sally is also programmed to alert human staff if students mention self-harm or suicidal thoughts and responds empathetically, encouraging them to seek adult help.

The use of robots in classrooms is not new. In the U.S., a San Diego school network invested $500,000 in two ChatGPT-based robots named Ameca, which students find unsettling despite educational ambitions. Globally, social robots have been deployed in schools since the 1970s, with over 200 installations in 28 countries as of 2026. Israel also uses educational robots, such as "Buddy," which assists with technology lessons and classroom activities without attempting human likeness.

While proponents see AI robots as tools to inspire interest in technology and support rural education, critics and academics caution about risks, including mental health concerns linked to intensive chatbot use. The future role of such robots in education remains uncertain, balancing innovation with ethical and practical challenges.