Amber Ivey’s AIDigiTales is Demystifying AI for the Next Generation
AIDigiTales and the AI for KIds Podcast: Demystifying AI for the Next Generation
Amber “AI” Ivey’s journey into the realm of artificial intelligence and data analytics has been nothing short of inspiring. Using her passion for technology and willingness to help others, Amber founded AIDigiTales, a platform that seeks to bridge disparities in the tech industry and make AI education accessible to children of all ages.
The CEO and founder discovered her talent with data while attending a Performance Management class at the University of Maryland, where she later graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration. While working within Maryland’s state government, she used her knowledge of data analytics to help achieve widespread governmental goals that sought to improve the everyday lives of average citizens.
“I was good with math and operations, so I knew that was going to be my job,” Amber recalls. “My work involved using data to drive decisions and measure outcomes, whether it was reducing maternal mortality or tackling the heroin epidemic. It was in Maryland’s state program that I truly understood the power of data.” Amber’s data-driven career evolved as she explored natural language processing and predictive analytics, sparking her interest in artificial intelligence. “I got hooked on the predictive analytics side of it,” she says. “Seeing how data could predict outcomes and trends was fascinating. It was like seeing the future unfold before my eyes, and I wanted to be a part of that.” It was these experiences and her relentless pursuit of accessibility and inclusivity that led to the creation of her digital educational platform, AIDigiTales.
The Birth of AIDigitales
The more she learned about artificial intelligence and the ever-evolving technology, the more Amber wanted to become involved in the impact AI would have on future generations. “I realized that there was a significant gap in understanding AI, not just among adults but especially among children,” she explained.
“I wanted to bridge this gap and make AI concepts accessible and engaging for everyone. By starting with kids, I could foster a sense of curiosity and excitement about technology from a young age.”
Inspired by her nieces and nephews, who were already engaging with AI through mobile devices and digital assistants, Amber decided to create her platform. “I wanted kids to see themselves in this space,” she emphasizes.
“When you see yourself in something, it changes your entire perspective. It makes you believe that you can be a part of it, that you belong there.” It was this motivation that spurred Amber to create her first children’s book, “AI Meets AI”, featuring her nieces and nephews as cartoon versions of themselves.
The book was written and designed specifically to introduce children to AI concepts through fun illustrations and engaging storytelling. “My nieces and nephews are the inspiration behind AIDigiTales.
Seeing their excitement and curiosity about technology made me realize how important it is to reach kids at a young age,” Amber states. Her platform has also published an “AI Meets AI” activity and coloring book and “My First AI Robot”, an AI education story about a birthday celebration, a precociously curious robot named Jaz -returning from “AI Meets AI”-, and the wonder of artificial learning.
Recognizing the need to further engage young minds in the age of YouTube and TikTok, Amber expanded her efforts and established her podcast, “AI for Kids”. The show focuses on breaking down complex concepts into simple, understandable terms for children and even adults without prior knowledge of the technology.
“If all you remember was ‘algorithm,’ I am good,” Amber jokes, stressing the need to make her content relatable and memorable, much also beginner-friendly. “AI for Kids” also features two segments for different age groups, one for younger children aged pre-K to 4th grade, and another for older kids and teens. Each episode explains different AI concepts using familiar metaphors, games, and expert interviews that keep kids engaged and excited to learn more.
“We use sound effects, music, and straightforward language to keep young listeners engaged and informed,” she explains. “The goal is to make learning about AI fun and exciting, something they can connect with on a personal level. We want kids to be able to understand these concepts and feel confident talking about them.” One of her episodes, “C is for Coding,” uses games and relatable examples to educate children on how their favorite video games are built and designed, and how Alexa always seems to know how far away the moon is. All of Amber’s innovative educational materials, videos, and podcast episodes can be accessed easily on the AIDigiTales website.
Addressing Disparities and Inspiring Future Innovators
In addition to educating the next generation of tech users, Amber is also passionate about addressing inequalities in the industry, particularly for black and brown communities. “I want to demystify it for my nieces and nephews and other kids who look like them,” she explains.
“Representation matters. When kids see people who look like them in these fields, it opens up a world of possibilities. They start to believe that they, too, can achieve great things in tech.” By creating content that children can relate to and see themselves in, Amber is not only cultivating a community of future techies but inspiring the next generation to get involved in the technology they use in their everyday lives.
“It’s not just about teaching kids what AI is; it’s about showing them that they can be creators of this technology, not just consumers,” she says. “We need to empower kids to believe in their own potential and give them the tools they need to succeed.” Her podcasts also educate parents on the best ways to guide and encourage their children’s interest in AI, ensuring that a love of learning doesn’t stop once the podcast does. Suffice it to say, Amber’s vision for AIDigiTales and her AI for Kids podcast is bright and focused on the future.
Through her relentless campaign to provide accessible resources and education, she is paving the way for a future where children can confidently navigate the world of AI and, one day, play a hand in changing it. “The future belongs to those who are willing to learn and adapt. By starting early and making education engaging and accessible, we can equip our kids with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.” Listen to Amber Ivey’s innovative AI for Kids podcast and buy her books here:
https://aidigitales.com/.
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