The growing use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all sectors has prompted widespread reflection on when and how these tools should be used. The K–12 education space is no exception. Generative AI is becoming increasingly embedded in how young people learn, obtain information, and explore new ideas. According to Pew Research, about a quarter of U.S. teens have used ChatGPT for their schoolwork—double the share from 2023[1]. The most commonly cited use is for getting information[2]. Forty-one percent of young people surveyed by Hopelab say they believe generative AI will have both positive and negative impacts over the next 10 years, reflecting a recognition of both potential and uncertainty[3].
In this evolving context, some schools and districts are working to intentionally integrate new tools to support student learning outcomes while reinforcing responsible use, ethical digital habits, and age-appropriate guardrails so students can benefit from innovation while navigating potential risks. It was against this backdrop that the Fort Worth Forum, in partnership with I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA, brought Sophia the Robot to Fort Worth. The goal was to give students an interactive, real-time experience with an advanced AI system to promote curiosity, take AI out of abstraction, and explore both its potential and its limits.
A Conversation with Sophia the Robot
On November 7, 2025, students from I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and Visual Performing Arts, along with peers from neighboring schools, gathered with anticipation as one of the world’s most advanced AI-powered humanoid robots took the stage for a rare, youth-centered conversation about artificial intelligence, creativity, and how technology can support student learning.
Developed by Hanson Robotics, Sophia is recognized worldwide for her ability to engage audiences in meaningful conversation—appearing at the United Nations, on global media platforms, and at innovation summits. Her presence in Fort Worth brought that same sense of wonder to local students, who were eager to see the intersection between technology and humanity up close.
I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM & VPA (Visual and Performing Arts) is a specialized public high school in Fort Worth that blends rigorous STEM education with visual and performing arts to prepare students for advanced academic and career pathways. Its robotics team builds and programs robots and drones for competitions such as UIL Academic, VEX Robotics, and Bell Advanced Vertical Robotics—gaining real-world skills in engineering, coding, teamwork, and leadership.
Student Experience with Local Middle and High Schools
Sophia opened the program with a short keynote—blending humor, storytelling, and even a musical moment—before engaging directly with students in an extended Q&A. Students asked thoughtful questions about a wide range of topics: the environmental impact of AI systems, whether she could dance, how AI should be used responsibly to support schoolwork, and other thought-provoking prompts. Her ability to generate responses in real time, shift seamlessly into other languages in response to student inquiries, and address tough questions about the value of AI, kept students engaged and curious.
Raphael, captain of I.M. Terrell’s Robotics Team, reflected on the program, stating, “Introducing Sophia and watching her sing, answer questions, and even switch into Spanish was an unforgettable moment for myself, my peers, and the whole school.” His words echoed what many students expressed: witnessing advanced robotics up close made the future feel more real, more tangible, and more accessible.
Although I.M. Terrell hosted the event, the student audience extended well beyond a single campus. The Fort Worth Forum intentionally invited students from surrounding schools, widening access and ensuring a diverse group of young people could benefit from the experience. The cross-school participation generated peer-to-peer excitement that elevated the energy in the room and underscored that Fort Worth’s students are collectively stepping into a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Together, students explored AI’s potential, its limitations, and its responsible use—topics that sit at the center of national and global conversations. Students remarked that they left with a clearer understanding of AI, a stronger sense of agency, and a renewed excitement about where STEM can take them. They experienced firsthand what happens when technology, curiosity, and opportunity collide.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Moments like this don’t just inspire students, they strengthen a community’s belief in what its young people can achieve.
The Rainwater Charitable Foundation is proud to support nonprofit and education partners like the Fort Worth Forum and FWISD as they help shape positive outcomes for today’s and tomorrow’s leaders.
[1]https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/15/about-a-quarter-of-us-teens-have-used-chatgpt-for-schoolwork-double-the-share-in-2023/
[2] digitalthriving.gse.harvard.edu+1
[3] https://digitalthriving.gse.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Teen-and-Young-Adult-Perspectives-on-Generative-AI.pdf
