Robots Teach: San Diego School's $500K AI Education Bet

Altus Schools in San Diego has invested $500,000 in advanced humanoid robots powered by ChatGPT. This pilot program aims to explore the integration of artificial intelligence into educational support and teaching roles. The school plans to utilize these robots at its in-person resource centers.

The Ameca robot, described as the most advanced AI-powered humanoid, can assume personas such as a teacher, wellness coach, college and career planner, and translator. This initiative is presented as an innovative, research-based learning experience for students. However, some education experts express skepticism, citing a lack of evidence on the effectiveness and safety of these tools in classrooms.

Similarly, Salamanca City Central School District in New York is piloting an AI teaching assistant called Optio, developed by Realbotix Corp. This program also involves a humanoid robot aimed at enhancing interactive learning and providing round-the-clock homework assistance. The goal is to promote AI, robotics, and STEM education among students and teachers.