Children get robot teachers - 17th December 2021

This little robot is working in classrooms in South Korea. Its name is "Alpha Mini". It's helping to teach 4 and 5 year olds.

Alpha Mini is only 24.5 centimetres tall. But it can dance, sing and read stories. It can do exercise. It makes silly noises for children too.

Jang Min-sung: "It's great fun."

Lee Ga-yoon: "When I tell it to sing, it sings well. I tell it to dance and we dance together. I can tell it to sit down on a chair I made."

Jang Min-sung: "I enjoy it watching it do kung-fu and singing."

Lee Ga-yoon: "Playing with the robot makes me happy."

Children like the robot. They're learning to use artificial intelligence too. This is important. Han Dong-seog works for the government.

Han Dong-seog: "In the future, knowing how to manage AI and related tools will be very important. We believe having such experience in nursery schools will have a lasting effect through their youth and as adults."

Seoul's government is testing Alpha Mini in 300 preschools. It's helping children from 4 to 6 years old. And 3 year olds will soon use Alpha Mini too.

But teachers will stay in the classroom. Alpha Mini is only there to help.

Han Dong-seog: "We don't think the robots will replace teachers, but they will assist them. After this year's pilot programme and as we continue the programme next year, we will definitely have to develop a manual regarding the robot's role and position."