Behind the Curtain: AI Wizard of Oz Dashboards Powering Robot Interactions

What if your robot could hold a conversation, respond to student questions and demonstrate AI in real time, without requiring a computer science degree to run it? This workshop introduces the Wizard of Oz approach to educational robotics: instructor-controlled dashboards that orchestrate intelligent-feeling robot interactions while educators stay fully in control behind the scenes. Drawing on Hillsborough College's FIPSE-funded AI PREP4WORK initiative and real deployments with robots ranging from Raspberry Pi dogs to NAO, Pepper and Booster K1 across programs such as Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing and Construction Management, you will see live dashboard demonstrations and explore the architecture connecting AI voice pipelines to physical robots: speech-to-text input, large language model processing, text-to-speech output and robot control. Learn how to design a browser-based dashboard, start with low-cost platforms or a tablet-based avatar and use a simulation-first approach before purchasing hardware. Whether you are a CTE director, teacher or edtech coach, leave with a replicable framework and a starter template aligned to CTE workforce pathways. All workshops are BYOD and require All Access or Session + Registration to attend.