Schoolbot 9000

Gr 4-6–This timely, engaging, and funny story looks at the intersection of AI and one kid’s daily life. Fifth grader James recently lost his dad and now lives with his mom in a big city with robots everywhere. James does not like robots but must contend with one at home that cooks, cleans, and monitors his behavior and moods. To make matters worse, his school has been chosen to test a new teaching robot: the SchoolBot 9000. Red flags begin to appear quickly as the AI models are given complete access to records and private information. Questionable pedagogy based solely on test outcomes becomes the guiding norm, and James’s worst fear comes true when beloved teachers are replaced by the AIs. Themes of big tech vs. free will are explored as mounting opposition inside and outside the school results in protests about the robot manufacturer’s true intentions. Hint: they are not altruistic. Meanwhile, at home, James’s family robot reads his journal and becomes more humanlike, nudging the narrative into Turing Test developments. Full-color panels are loaded with realistic dialogue and clever diagrams. James and his family are white with more diversity among the students and teachers at school.