A charter school network in San Diego has invested $500,000 in two ChatGPT-powered humanoid robots as part of a pilot program to study how physical AI could assist with teaching, wellness coaching, career planning and translation. Altus Schools, which helps students recover credits and stay on track for graduation, will place the robots at in-person resource centres where learners already receive one-on-one academic support.
The main robot, Ameca, stands 6-foot-2 with a gray silicone face, blinking blue eyes, and a transparent skull lit by purple LEDs. Its exposed motors move as it smiles, frowns and scans the room. School officials describe it as the most advanced AI-powered humanoid robot available.
The robot's roles at Altus Schools
In an email to families, Cathryn Rambo, Altus dean of academic studies, said the project is an "innovative opportunity" for students to participate in a research-based learning experience. Ameca can adopt four personas: Sage the Teacher, Remi the Wellness Coach, Ari the College and Career Planner, and Lexi the Translator. Rambo wrote that the school is "thrilled to be the first in the world to research the use of physical AI as a teaching partner."
Outside skepticism
Wayne Holmes, a professor of critical studies of artificial intelligence and education at University College London, pushed back on the enthusiasm. "There is no independent evidence at scale showing that the use of these tools is effective, safe or has a positive impact in classrooms," he said. Holmes added that there is increasing evidence suggesting the opposite. The report also noted that even OpenAI has not fully solved the challenge of making AI chatbots safe for children.
A parallel experiment in New York
A separate pilot brings a similar concept to the Salamanca City Central School District on the Seneca Nation Reservation. Realbotix Corp has introduced Optio, an AI teaching assistant that works through a humanoid robot to encourage interactive classroom learning. Optio offers personalised AI avatars trained on the district's curriculum, providing concept revision, one-on-one tutoring and 24-hour homework help in multiple languages. The platform is designed to support both students and teachers while promoting AI, robotics and STEM education.
Why this matters for education professionals
The Altus Schools pilot signals a concrete investment in physical AI as a classroom presence, not just a software tool. For educators, the experiment raises immediate questions about evidence, student safety and cost-effectiveness. As schools begin testing these systems, teachers may benefit from structured guidance to understand the technology's capabilities and limits. AI for Teachers Learning Path resources can help educators evaluate how AI fits into instruction without over-relying on tools that remain largely unproven in real classrooms.
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