NEW YORK STATE — New York’s largest teachers union is calling for a statewide policy on artificial intelligence in schools after a district halted plans to deploy a humanoid robot.
The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) is asking state officials and lawmakers to enact rules regulating AI, with extra protections for humanoid technology. The state Education Department says it has been developing guidance for months, but any changes to state law would require legislative action.
Halted plans for humanoid robot
This comes after Salamanca City Central School District paused its classroom robot project after objections from the state Education Department.
READ MORE: Salamanca City Central School District pauses classroom robot project amid objections
When the initiative was first announced, NYSUT spoke out against it, saying:
“A robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms.
Our students don’t need robots. They need real relationships with caring adults. Educators notice when students are struggling, celebrate when they succeed and help them discover who they can become. No robot can do that, no matter how lifelike its skin or specific its regional accent.
NYSUT is committed to fighting thoughtless expansion of this technology, and we will explore every avenue necessary to protect human-centered learning in Salamanca and in every classroom across this state.”
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