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Episode 299: Guardrails for Growing Minds with Dr. Sonia Tiwari

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Sonia Tiwari, an innovative researcher diving deep into the impact of AI and parasocial relationships on children. We discuss her unique career journey from character design in gaming to focusing on AI’s ethical design for young learners. Together, we explore essential guardrails, the concept of parasocial relationships with AI, and the implications of unregulated AI in education. If you’re an educator, parent, or AI enthusiast, this conversation offers crucial insights on how AI intersects with learning, safety, and digital relationships.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction and Welcome 
1:30 – Introducing Dr. Sonia Tiwari 
2:30 – Dr. Tiwari’s Background: From Gaming to AI 
4:00 – What Are Parasocial Relationships? 
8:06 – The Need for Guardrails in AI for Children 
12:00 – Simplifying Guardrails: Legal, Design, and Cultural 
14:49 – Ensuring Safe AI Use Through Joint Engagement 
16:50 – Dr. Tiwari’s Research in Ethical AI 
20:44 – Challenges with Unregulated AI in Education 
24:38 – Importance of Parental Engagement in Digital Spaces 
26:39 – Ethical Framework for AI in Child Development 
33:00 – The Role of AI in Classroom Chatbots 
39:26 – Tech Companies’ Responsibilities in AI for Kids 
42:23 – Reflecting on AI’s Rapid Growth in K-12 Spaces 
46:52 – How to Connect with Dr. Sonia Tiwari 
47:12 – Final Three Questions with Dr. Tiwari 
50:13 – Closing Thoughts and Thank You 

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