Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Back to School with AI: What Parents and Educators Need to Know S1 EP35
Description
In this episode of Bot Boundaries, co‑hosts Jackie and Katie are joined by Dr. Yi Zhang, founder of The Learning Brand, an ISTE and TEDx speaker, and a learning executive who has helped upskill more than 120,000 people worldwide through periods of major technology shifts, including AI. She’s held leadership roles spanning Fortune 100 companies and K-12 education. Her latest project, AlphaStack, helps parents and educators keep Generation Alpha human as AI becomes part of children's lives at an increasingly younger age.
They explore the impact of AI on children, the current landscape of AI integration in toys and education, and how parents and educators can navigate this complex space responsibly.
They close with their Love It or Leave It segment with a discussion on how major toy brands and films like Toy Story 5 are addressing AI's impact on child development, and how companies are balancing innovation with the concerns of parents and families.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bot-boundaries/id1867232401
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TLKXXC3qnZ48UGkaT8DsQ?si=d026514efbc14203
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@botboundaries
Follow us on Instagram: @BotBoundaries
Follow us on TikTok: @BotBoundaries
Follow us on LinkedIn: @BotBoundaries
Our website: www.botboundaries.com
Connect with Yi here: thelearningbrand.co and on Instagram @dr_yizhang_official
Chapters
02:15 AI in toys and classroom tools today
04:17 Current policies and gaps in AI regulation
06:36 Legal obligations and risks for AI products
08:27 The role of companies and government in AI safety
12:12 Involving educators and parents in AI adoption
14:46 Introducing Alpha Stack for AI readiness assessment
17:11 Relationship and communication with AI in family life
20:16 Red flags and responsible AI product choices
22:34 Guidelines for parents considering AI toys
25:56 Testing AI products before children use them
31:46 Youth-led AI policy creation and advocacy
34:31 AI in media and entertainment: Toy Story 5 and beyond
37:05 The pause on AI toys by major brands
38:21 Impersonation and celebrity chatbots risks
Reference links to explore key topics discussed in this episode:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/30/nx-s1-5853571/students-set-ai-policy