Class, Your Robot Is Talking

Robots are now coming for our schools. OK, maybe not yet. But education reporter Jakob McWhinney did find one school that's giving them a shot. The hybrid charter network Altus Schools recently spent half a million dollars on two ChatGPT-powered humanoid robots called Ameca. School officials say they're not trying to replace teachers, but some experts have flagged a whole slew of concerns about the mechanical intrusion into education. Here is what Jakob learned: "People who develop technology have long said the goal is never to replace teachers until it is. But these sorts of systems do supplant teachers," McWhinney said. Also on the show: Co-host Scott Lewis explains a complex deal struck over state ballot measures. The crew also gabs about a company working to eradicate the algae that has infested Washington D.C.'s Reflecting Pool and why it may ring a bell with locals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.