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A single question from a four-year-old, “What is data?”, sparked a four-year journey that turned everyday moments into a blueprint for teaching kids the foundations of AI. We sit down with Chandra Donelson, chief data and AI officer, Air Force reservist, and author of The Data Detective series, to show how data literacy starts at home with simple habits that build real confidence.

Chandra shares the carnival breakthrough that helped her son grasp quantitative and qualitative data by counting people in ride lines and noticing details in the world around him. We unpack how she tested each draft by asking her son to explain concepts back, if a five-year-old couldn’t re-teach it, it didn’t make the cut. She walks us through translating artful curiosity into STEAM, the value of slow, intentional creation even as AI tools speed up publishing, and why her newest book, The Data Detective at the Airport, weaves real family scenes and snapshots into the story.

We also dig into practical, parent-friendly routines that turn life into a data lab: checking the weekly forecast to plan outfits, budgeting toward a VR headset, and cooking with measurements to build intuition for patterns and predictions. Chandra ties these skills to math fundamentals and explains why data is the true foundation beneath AI, no clean data, no trustworthy intelligence. Her career arc from military intelligence to data leadership highlights the power of raising your hand, finding mentors, and building community through Women in Data, where representation and support open doors for the next generation.

Resources:

• The Data Detective at the Carnival
• The Data Detective at the Airport

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Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”

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A video looks real, the voice sounds familiar, but something feels off. That gut check matters, and we turn it into a simple habit kids can use every day: pause, check, ask. We break down deepfakes in plain language, show how AI learns to mimic faces and voices, and teach a family-friendly game that trains kids to spot tricks without fear or extra screen time.

We start by explaining what deepfakes are and how pattern-learning lets AI copy smiles, speech, and movement. From there, we introduce Real, Trick, or Check—a quick activity any grown-up can run in the car, at home, or in class. Kids learn to look for practical red flags: videos that only exist on social feeds, clips that rush or scare, lips that don’t match words, flat robotic audio, super short edits, and sketchy new accounts. The goal isn’t to catch every fake with one clue; it’s to slow down and verify with a trusted adult before reacting or sharing.

Safety is stronger when families protect what AI can learn. We offer clear steps: post sparingly, lock down privacy settings, avoid untrusted sites, and be careful when texting photos or voice notes. We also cover what to do if a fake targets your child: you did nothing wrong, tell a trusted adult, save evidence, and report it. To stop impostors who use cloned voices, we share our favorite tool, a private code word that only you, your kids, and your classroom know. If a message can’t provide it, stop and verify through a known channel.

By the end, your family has a shared language for staying calm and curious around AI: protect your pictures and your voice, practice the game, and keep the code word handy. If something feels wrong, talk to a trusted adult right away. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more families build smart tech habits.

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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What do kids really touch when they “use AI”? We sat down with educator Tom Mullaney and early virtual economy pioneer Tim Allen to strip away the buzzwords and bring AI back to what children actually experience: predictive systems that generate words, pictures, and sounds without authorship or intent. From Second Life marketplaces to today’s chatbots, we trace how hype blurs reality, how “easy button” tools undercut learning, and why kids deserve a clear, practical map for using AI without losing creativity or judgment.

We dig into a simple, striking demo: nine leading models drawing a wall clock once per minute, often getting it wrong in different ways. That moving snapshot opens a bigger lesson—if a model can’t keep a clock straight, don’t trust it where accuracy matters. Tom explains why generative AI reads as polished but painfully boring in student writing, while Tim offers pathways for young coders to use models for boilerplate and then switch to human craft for novelty and taste. Together we explore the mental health risks of parasocial chatbot bonds, the screen-addictive design of platforms, and the Harvard study that ties lifelong happiness to real relationships, not fleeting likes.

Parents and teachers will find practical guardrails: ask who built the tool and who benefits, demand transparency and family controls, and push for real accountability when systems output harmful content. Kids get a north star: humans create, computers generate. Keep AI as a tool, not a crutch. Choose projects that make you think, verify results, and be proud to fail boldly as you learn. We also touch on the environmental cost of running large models and why a family-first approach to AI can help everyone stay curious, safe, and grounded.

If this conversation helps you teach skepticism without fear and keep kids building in the real world, share it with a friend, subscribe for more like this, and leave a review with the one guardrail you’d add first.

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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Kids are meeting chatbots everywhere, from homework helpers to pop‑ups on websites, and many of them think the robot “feels” things. We cut through the hype with a friendly, practical guide that shows how chatbots really work, why they sometimes sound brilliant and sometimes go off the rails, and what families can do to stay curious and safe at the same time.

We start by breaking down the core idea: a chatbot predicts the next word using patterns, not feelings or understanding. That simple lens explains why a bot can write a funny pizza joke yet invent a name when asked about your classroom. From there, we shift into digital safety that kids can remember: treat a chatbot like a stranger, never share personal information, and pause the moment a reply feels weird or unkind. Along the way we model the “grown‑up in the loop” rule and show how to fact‑check results so confidence never replaces care.

To make it hands‑on, we share a quick kitchen‑table activity that sorts “Safe Questions” and “Not Safe Questions.” On one side, creative prompts like stories, riddles, and science facts. On the other, anything that reveals names, addresses, school details, or phone numbers. We wrap with five simple takeaways that turn into everyday habits: chatbots are not people, they make mistakes, you never share private data, you stop and tell a grown‑up when something feels off, and you can still have fun within clear boundaries.

If this helped your family or classroom, subscribe for more parent‑friendly AI tips, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so more caregivers can find these tools. Your support helps more kids stay safe, curious, and creative with AI.

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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Worried that “learning AI” means more screens and less connection at home? We flip that script with a parent-first, practical roadmap for saving time, lowering stress, and building real AI literacy, together with your kids. Our guest, former teacher, edtech pro, and mom Julie Kelleher, shares how she created “Like a Mother AI” to help families turn curiosity into safe, meaningful habits.

We dig into the TIME framework, Tutoring, Ideas, Management, Encouragement, to show exactly where AI can lighten the mental load. You’ll hear how Notebook LM becomes a private study buddy using only teacher-provided PDFs, how a quick pantry photo can generate five meals for picky eaters in minutes, and how to turn dense topics into short audio or video explainers that match different learning styles. We talk about choosing education-first tools with stronger privacy guardrails, setting living house rules you can revise, and why co-learning is the fastest way to replace fear with confidence.

You’ll also get a candid look at boundaries and safety. We cover when kids should use a tool themselves vs. when parents should gatekeep access, why “no faces, no voices, no personal data” is a strong default, and what to do when a chatbot response feels off, document it, talk it through, and use that evidence to push for better products and policy. 

Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a calmer path into AI. 

Resources:

• Like a Mother AI (Julie’s site)
• NotebookLM (Google’s “notebook” AI tool)
• Khanmigo from Khan Academy (AI tutor your kids’ friends might use at school)
• Canva for Education:
• CapCut (video editor that added AI image features)
• Pew Research Center report on parents, kids, and screen time
• Generative AI course

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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Curious talking toys are popping up everywhere, from plush buddies and dolls to tiny robots that listen and talk back. In this AI for Kids episode, we kick off our “AI in Real Life” series by breaking down AI toys for kids in plain language so families know what they are actually buying. We explain how talking AI toys use speech recognition, simple memory, and pre-programmed responses, where they can shine for learning and play, and where parents need clear guardrails for safety and privacy.

Kids will learn the difference between a friendly voice and a real friend, so they understand that a toy does not have feelings and can make mistakes. We share kid-friendly rules for safe AI toy use that are easy to remember: ask an adult before playing, keep private information private, and speak up when something feels off. You will also hear a quick holiday shopping checklist for AI toys. Does this toy teach or just entertain, will it get long-term use, and does it add to playtime or pull kids away from real people?

For parents and teachers, we walk through how to read AI toy privacy policies without drowning in jargon, how to choose between offline and cloud-connected toys, and how to guide playtime so the toy becomes a springboard for imagination, not a replacement for it. With simple examples, age-appropriate boundaries, and clear next steps, you will leave ready to make a smart decision about AI toys for kids and support safe, joyful, curiosity-led play.

If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more families can find AI for Kids.

Resources for Parents:

• Advocacy groups urge parents to avoid AI toys this holiday season
• After a teddy bear talked about kink, AI watchdogs are warning parents against smart toys

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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A 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:

1. Flora AI – the visual AI tool you mentioned as your favorite gadget
2. Dr. Sonia Tiwari’s research article – “Designing ethical AI characters for children’s early learning experiences” in AI, Brain and Child
3. Dr. Sonia Tiwari on LinkedIn – you told listeners to check out her LinkedIn
4. Buddy.ai – AI character English tutor you referenced
5. Snorble – the AI bedtime companion you mentioned

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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Hey, 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 family
• Donate one to a school or library
• Grab 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].

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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Kids 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 show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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

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Amber 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-kids

Support the show

Hey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids’ world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/

Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families.

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!

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