The Doggy Daycare Robot: A Kid’s Adventure in AI: How to Create an AI/ML Application for Kids

The Doggy Daycare Robot: A Kid’s Adventure in AI: How to Create an AI/ML Application for Kids

Background: My name is Dr. Shanel Crusoe, and I hold a doctorate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. I am married with two children, a daughter named Tamia and a son named Malachi. We also have two twin dogs named Ace and Aerial. Inspired by the desire to foster greater representation of minority children in the STEM field, I embarked on the endeavor of writing a children’s book. Black students are significantly underrepresented in computer science (CS) majors relative to their population in the U.S., and Black females have a much lower representation than Black males within the field. In 2020, Black students earned less than 9% of all U.S. In the computing workforce, Black individuals hold only about 7% of jobs. There are retention issues, Black students who initially declare a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) major, which includes CS, are more likely to switch out of these fields (40% for Black students compared to 29% for white students). Additionally, Black females are significantly more underrepresented than their male counterparts in computer science programs. In 2018, Black females earned just 2% of all computer science degrees, with only 1,745 degrees awarded nationwide. The number for Black males was higher, though still underrepresented in the overall population of CS graduates. Introduction: I wanted to teach children the basics of AI/ML through storytelling. Introducing children to artificial intelligence (AI) at an early age is important because AI is a transformative technology that is already integrated into daily life and will shape their future world. Early exposure helps children become informed, confident, and responsible digital citizens rather than passive consumers of technology. Key Benefits Develops Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Learning about AI, such as how algorithms work and how machines learn from data, encourages logical thinking, analytical skills, and a methodical approach to problem-solving. - Fosters Creativity and Innovation: Children can use AI-powered tools to create art, compose music, or write stories, which inspires imagination and teaches them to use technology as a medium for self-expression and innovation. - Promotes Digital and AI Literacy Early exposure demystifies AI, helping children understand its basic functions, capabilities, and limitations. - Prepares for Future Careers Many future careers: Introducing AI early equips children with relevant skills for the job market and can spark an interest in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). - Cultivates Ethical Awareness Discussing the ethical implications of AI, such as bias in algorithms and data privacy concerns, helps children develop into responsible users of technology who are conscious of its societal impact. - Enhances Social and Emotional SkillsCertain AI tools and collaborative projects can support the development of social skills, empathy, and communication abilities by providing structured interactions and opportunities for teamwork. This book is a great introduction to getting started with AI projects, helping you understand the importance of having one, what the problem is, why it matters, and how it can benefit people. Chapter 1, defining your attributes and creating a database. Chapter 2, understanding your purpose and how to acquire the necessary data to train AI. Chapter 3, building the model. Chapter 4, adjusting the model to remove any bias. Chapter 5, using AI to make predictions. Chapter 6, humanizing AI for improved intelligence. Chapter 7, learning how to scale, prioritize, and manage resources. Chapter 8, using AI to make ‘smart’ choices.