Meet the AI-trained robot 'parent' helping prepare new teachers for conflict

La Trobe University is training new teachers using an AI-powered robot named Fletch, designed to simulate challenging interactions with parents. The robot, equipped with artificial intelligence, learns common grievances expressed by parents and offers trainee and early career teachers the opportunity to practice handling such situations.

Professor Therese Keane, a digital education expert, developed the program after identifying a significant rise in teacher conflicts with parents over the past 15 years, with violence against educators increasing by 80%. Keane believes that preparing teachers for these conflicts is crucial, as many leave the profession due to the overwhelming stress and aggression they face.

Fletch interacts with student teachers for about four to five minutes, gradually becoming increasingly unreasonable to simulate real-world scenarios. Cherry Demir, a PhD student and teacher at La Trobe University, has been working with Fletch for three years and believes it prepares new teachers well for real-life situations. Henry Grossek, a long-serving principal who trained Fletch using his extensive experience, agrees that the robot is an exciting initiative that will equip teachers to de-escalate tense conversations and improve parent-school relationships.

La Trobe University plans to explore additional uses for Fletch, such as simulating difficult conversations between teachers and students, as well as having the robot assist in classrooms by identifying students who may be struggling to pay attention.