Dr. Sonia Tiwari joins Iyabo Oba on Relationships WithAI to explore how her work in design, education, and character creation intersects with AI, particularly in emotionally safe and ethical ways. Sonia shares how AI characters can foster learning, how her personal journey shaped her approach, and why foundational skills matter in AI collaboration. The conversation delves into topics like dual empathy, the dangers of parasocial AI relationships, and the mental health chatbot she created, Limona. Sonia calls for thoughtful design, cultural awareness, and clear guardrails to ensure AI supports rather than harms, especially in children’s lives.

Top Three Takeaways:

Design and Empathy Matter in AI - AI characters that feel relatable and emotionally safe can support learning and mental health, but their design must include ethical safeguards and clear limits.
Foundational Skills Are Crucial - AI tools amplify existing expertise—they don’t replace it. Educators and designers with real-world experience use AI more responsibly and creatively.
Guardrails Must Be Built In - Effective AI literacy and child safety require action on three levels: law, design, and culture. Without all three, AI can become emotionally manipulative or unsafe.

Links and References

Limona chatbot – Sonia’s CBT-based AI support tool
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood – character-led emotional learning
Buddy.ai – AI tutor for kids
Everyone AI – nonprofit working on AI and child safety
CBT overview – understanding cognitive behavioural therapy
Red teaming – stress-testing AI for safety flaws

134. Dr. Sonia Tiwari: Why AI Characters Need Empathy and Boundaries