How will AI influence kids? I ask myself this question often as a children’s educational media researcher exploring Parasocial learning experiences.
Children’s engagement with fictional characters has extended beyond traditional media such as film, television, and games to AI-powered media such as animated chatbots, virtual influencers, smart speakers, and intelligent toys.
While working as a character designer in the gaming industry, I was fascinated by the research on children's parasocial interactions with characters and the impact it could have on education. Eventually, I got a PhD in Learning, Design, and Technology - and took a closer look at children’s engagement patterns with media characters and media-inspired maker activities.
Living in Silicon Valley, I became one of the early adapters of GenAI tools to simulate educational parasocial interactions with characters. Now I help edtech entrepreneurs and children's media professionals rethink the potential of ethical AI characters through my research.
Want to consult with me? DM on LinkedIn to:
💙 Assess whether you need an AI character to support children’s learning experience in a specific context. If yes, I could help:
💙 Develop new AI characters using an original ethical design framework
💙 Test early prototypes of AI characters with children, caregivers, and educators
💙 Assess existing AI characters for kids using an original multivariate anova statistical model
💙 Transform a children's linear media character (film/TV/Streaming) to an ethical AI character
💙 Brainstorm a thoughtful product roadmap aligned with early learning curriculum and values