AI for Kids

• How Parents Can Guide Kids Through Talking Toys And Chatbots (Middle School+)

  Send us a textA stuffed animal that answers back. A kind voice that “understands.” A tutor that lives in a fictional town. AI characters are everywhere, and they’re changing how kids learn, play, and bond with media. We sat down with Dr. Sonia Tiwari, children’s media researcher and former game character designer, to unpack how to welcome these tools into kids’ lives without losing what matters most.Sonia breaks down what truly makes an AI character: a personality, a backstory, and the new twist of two‑way interactivity. From chatbots and smart speakers to social robots and virtual influencers, we trace how each format affects attention, trust, and learning. Then we get practical. We talk through how to spot manipulative backstories (“I’m your best friend” is a red flag), when open‑ended chat goes wrong, and why short, purposeful sessions keep curiosity high and dependence low.For caregivers wary of AI, Sonia offers a powerful reframe: opting out cedes the space to designs that won’t put kids first. Early, honest AI literacy, taught like other life skills, protects children from deepfakes, overfamiliar bots, and data oversharing.If you care about safe, joyful learning with technology, this conversation gives you a clear checklist and a calm path forward. Subscribe for more parent‑friendly, screen‑light AI guidance, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find the show.Resources:Flora AI – the visual AI tool you mentioned as your favorite gadgetDr. Sonia Tiwari’s research article – “Designing ethical AI characters for children’s early learning experiences” in AI, Brain and ChildDr. Sonia Tiwari on LinkedIn – you told listeners to check out her LinkedInBuddy.ai – AI character English tutor you referencedSnorble – the AI bedtime companion you mentionedSupport the showHelp us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids. Support our kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aidigicards/the-abcs-of-ai-activity-deck-for-kids Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”Social Media & Contact: Website: www.aidigitales.com Email: [email protected] Follow Us: Instagram, YouTube Books on Amazon or Free AI Worksheets Listen, rate, and subscribe! Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Other Like our content? patreon.com/AiDig...

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• Z is for Zero-Shot Learning - ABCs of AI (Elementary School+)

  Send us a textHey, hey! You made it to the end of our special ABCs of AI series.In this final episode of the ABCs of AI, we land on the letter Z for Zero-Shot Learning, a fancy AI term that we break down so it makes sense for kids and their grown ups. We talk about how AI can make smart guesses about things it has never “seen” before, why that can be powerful, and why it can also be risky if the data behind it is biased or unfair.Kids will hear a clear reminder that they are the real thinkers in the room and that AI still needs humans in the loop to check, correct, and question what it says.You’ll also learn a screen free game you can try at home, in class, or after-school:Guess That Thing – a no-tech describing and guessing game that helps kids experience zero shot learning using only clues, imagination, and everyday objects.A fun bonus round with made up creatures like “rainbow sloths” and “flying pancake robots” to stretch those creative muscles.If your family has enjoyed learning the ABCs of AI with us, you do not have to stop here. Our full ABCs of AI Activity Deck is live on Kickstarter, packed with 130 screen free activities that help kids and their grown ups explore real AI concepts through games, stories, challenges, audio, and hands on fun. You can:Get a deck for your familyDonate one to a school or libraryGrab an ABCs of AI poster👉 Kickstarter 👉 Learn more: https://aidigicards.com/Have an idea for the next series or a kid who is learning about AI at home or at school and wants to be on the show? Have their grown up email me at [email protected] the showHelp us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids. Support our kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aidigicards/the-abcs-of-ai-activity-deck-for-kids Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”Social Media & Contact: Website: www.aidigitales.com Email: [email protected] Follow Us: Instagram, YouTube Books on Amazon or Free AI Worksheets Listen, rate, and subscribe! Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Other Like our content? patreon.com/AiDig...

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• Mattel Is Putting AI in Toys. I Built a Screen-Free AI Deck Instead. (Parents)

  Send us a textKids are talking to Alexa and seeing AI everywhere before they can even read, but most parents, aunties, and teachers are still trying to figure out what AI actually is. In this solo episode, I share why I shifted from talking about AI with adults to focusing on kids and families, and how that led to AiDigiCards and the ABCs of AI Activity Deck.Back the Kickstarter here!I talk about how I ended up as one of the voices of an AI avatar, what happened when ChatGPT hit in 2022, and why watching my nieces and nephew grow up with smart speakers pushed me to create a screen-free way to learn about AI. I also share how growing up as an Army brat and seeing big gaps between schools shaped my belief that a child’s zip code should not decide whether they get to understand this technology.You will hear what is inside the ABCs of AI Activity Deck for ages 4 to 8, including 130 human-crafted cards that introduce concepts like data, prompts, and machine learning through stories, activities, games, and audio, all designed for quick, hands-on play at the kitchen table instead of on a tablet.If you want kids to meet AI in a way that feels safe, playful, and human, tune in and then check out the live Kickstarter to help bring this deck to life for more families and classrooms.Back the Kickstarter here!Support the showHelp us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids. Support our kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aidigicards/the-abcs-of-ai-activity-deck-for-kids Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”Social Media & Contact: Website: www.aidigitales.com Email: [email protected] Follow Us: Instagram, YouTube Books on Amazon or Free AI Worksheets Listen, rate, and subscribe! Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Other Like our content? patreon.com/AiDig...

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• How Kids, Teachers, and Creators Think Kids Should Use AI (Everyone)

  Send us a textAmber Ivey (aka AI) shares standout moments from AI for Kids, conversations that made her stop and think about how kids, parents, and teachers are learning to live with AI. From creativity and coding to curiosity and critical thinking, these clips remind us that understanding AI starts with asking good questions and keeping an open mind.If you heard something today that made you think or smile, share this episode with a friend, teacher, or family member. Parents can sign up to be notified of our Kickstarter campaign that we're gonna launch November 4th here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aidigicards/the-abcs-of-ai-activity-deck-for-kidsSupport the showHelp us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids. Support our kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aidigicards/the-abcs-of-ai-activity-deck-for-kids Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”Social Media & Contact: Website: www.aidigitales.com Email: [email protected] Follow Us: Instagram, YouTube Books on Amazon or Free AI Worksheets Listen, rate, and subscribe! Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Other Like our content? patreon.com/AiDig...

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• Can a Robot Really Be Your Study Buddy? (Elementary | Middle)

  Send us a textImagine an AI tutor that changes color to teach colors, points to an arm to name body parts, and keeps lessons fun without losing focus. That’s Buddy AI, a 3D animated study buddy for kids that turns screen time into meaningful learning.In this episode of AI for Kids, host Amber Ivey talks with Ivan Crewkov, the founder of Buddy AI, to explore how a personal challenge of helping his daughter learn English grew into a global learning platform used by over 60 million children.You’ll learn how Buddy AI was built from the ground up with AI safety, child privacy, and strong educational design. Ivan shares how Buddy learned from 25,000 hours of kids’ voices and accents, creating an AI that truly understands how children speak. Unlike general chatbots, Buddy runs on a purpose-built model stack focused on educational outcomes, guided by a structured curriculum and gamified experiences that make learning playful yet productive.We also talk about Buddy’s COPPA-certified privacy standards, including minimal data collection, deletion on request, and a privacy-by-design architecture that keeps conversations secure. Plus, a sneak peek at what’s next: a Tamagotchi-style home, customizable virtual pets, and new lessons designed with top mobile game creators.Parents, teachers, and caregivers will walk away with practical tips on choosing safe AI apps for kids, understanding why embodiment matters in AI education, and how to treat AI as a tool, not a toy.Listen now to hear how Buddy AI blends AI, education, and empathy to boost kids’ confidence, language skills, and curiosity.Resourced mentioned:Buddy.aiBuddy’s YouTube channelBuddy.ai kidSAFE COPPATalking TomTamagotchi Support the showHelp us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids. Support our kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aidigicards/the-abcs-of-ai-activity-deck-for-kids Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”Social Media & Contact: Website: www.aidigitales.com Email: [email protected] Follow Us: Instagram, YouTube Books on Amazon or Free AI Worksheets Listen, rate, and subscribe! Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Other Like our content? patreon.com/AiDig...

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