How do you raise kids in the age of AI without losing critical thinking? FAA AI data scientist and mom Crevita Moody shares her approach.

Crevita didn't touch a computer until she was 13 and didn't own one until she was 21. About 15 years later, she became the first African American woman data scientist at the FAA, where she works on AI in mission-critical systems. In this episode of My EdTech Life, she explains why the skills that got her there had nothing to do with screen time, and why they matter even more for kids growing up with AI.

We talk about parenting in the age of AI, the narrowly focused AI tools she uses with her six-year-old son, why she reads AI system cards in her spare time, and why she sees generative AI as a three-year-old prodigy that was released to the world before anyone had 18 years to raise it. She also shares the story behind her two books and what it felt like to earn a Kirkus Star.

What you'll learn:
- The skills that never go out of style: critical thinking, attention to detail, communication, and regulating your emotions
- How to answer a child's question with more questions instead of a quick search
- How to choose narrowly focused AI tools for young kids, like Suno, Google AI Studio, and OpenArt
- Why "just program the AI not to do that" isn't how neural networks work
- How to calm AI anxiety by going to the source instead of the headlines

About Crevita's books:
Which Way to Smart is her guide for parents, caregivers, and educators. It earned a Kirkus Star, and Kirkus Reviews called it "An intelligent and upbeat guide to helping young people master AI and to avoid being mastered by it." Her children's book, How to Put Your Robot to Sleep, is the first in the How to Raise Your Robot series, starring Evo the robot.

Chapters:
0:00 Welcome and thank you to our sponsors
2:00 Crevita's work as an AI data scientist at the FAA
5:00 No computer until 13: what a late start taught her
8:00 Why parents are anxious about AI and future jobs
13:00 Not too much tech, not too little
14:00 "Why is the sky blue?" Building critical thinking at home
16:00 Narrowly focused AI tools for young kids
20:00 Fighting fear with education: reading AI system cards
24:00 Why generative AI is like a three-year-old prodigy
30:00 The story behind How to Put Your Robot to Sleep
35:00 Which Way to Smart: a guide for parents and educators
40:00 Earning a Kirkus Star
51:00 How to connect with Crevita

Connect with Crevita Moody:
Website: https://playhousestem.ai
Email: playhousestem@gmail.com
How to Raise Your Robot on Instagram: [LINK: How to Raise Your Robot Instagram]
Which Way to Smart: https://link.amazon/B02MMt2ge
How to Put Your Robot to Sleep: https://link.amazon/B04FkNRE5
Thomas's AI portfolio: https://thomas-portfolio-1058048510604.us-east1.run.app/

Resources mentioned:
Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org
Suno, Google AI Studio, OpenArt

Thank you to our sponsors: Comeback Coffee, Book Creator, Eduaid, and Peel Back Education.

Which of Crevita's "never out of style" skills are you building with your own kids or students? Tell us in the comments.

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