#08 - Bringing Wonder Into the World Through AI with Seth Raphael

Smol Der - The Professional's Applied AI Podcast

Inventor, magician, and former Google prototyper Seth Raphael joins James to explore how AI can spark real wonder—not slop. Seth cofounded Hello Wonder, an AI platform that reshapes the internet for kids in real time based on parent values and each child’s interests. After two and a half years building the product, Hello Wonder was acquired by Noggin (home to Blue’s Clues and Bill Nye the Science Guy). From redirecting sensitive queries into age-appropriate learning to designing agents that discover high-quality content on the fly, Seth shares how to make technology safe, joyful, and curiosity-driven for families.

What we cover:

Hello Wonder - An AI agent that learns each child, respects parent preferences, and re-routes “blocked” topics into constructive explorations (e.g., from human reproduction to plant germination).

Safety in the open web: Real-time retrieval and classification for accuracy, alignment with parent values, and match to a child’s academic goals—while keeping the experience playful.

Designing for wonder: Seth’s MIT thesis roots; why breaking expectations creates dopamine that fuels deeper learning (not doom-scrolling). “Wonder drills” to train attention to awe in daily life.

From magician to engineer: Using magical thinking to question assumptions, prototype “the impossible,” and then engineer it—first principles for product teams.

Five-years-ahead building: Time-machine prototyping, fits & starts beyond neat Moore’s-Law curves, and why early edges on cost/quality can flip quickly for AI products.

“Quantum UX”: Parallel AI agents exploring many options at once (e.g., trips with multiple itineraries), then collapsing into one choice—plus the transactional infrastructure this future will need.

Personalized software on demand: The inverse of mass production—software generated for one person’s needs in minutes. Examples: spinning up micro-apps, a hardware side project (“Tiny Tarot”) from idea to storefront, and a lightweight time-tracking app (“Greedy Badger”).

Human connection first: Avoiding parasocial traps; using AI to convene people in the real world (e.g., an interactive festival poster that curates sets, previews music, and pairs attendees).

Character & pedagogy: A gentle guide character (an axolotl) that grows with kids; “pause to think” instead of lockouts; turning a kid’s interests (even a MrBeast video) into fraction lessons.

Parenting in practice: Give yourself grace—controls break, kids outsmart us. Model phone etiquette, build trust, and use safe walled options for younger kids while coaching judgment as they grow.

Schools & startups: Early pilots showed promise, but K-12 buying cycles are slow; hard trade-offs for founders. Candid lessons on when to raise VC, when to bootstrap, and how to define success on your own terms.

Where to start with AI: Pick a tool, tell it who you are and what you care about, and ask what it can do for your life. Start small; iterate.

Why watch:

If you’re a parent, educator, builder, or founder, this episode offers concrete patterns for safe, curiosity-led AI, actionable product tactics, and a blueprint for creating tech that nudges people back into the real world.

Key topics:

AI for kids, online safety, AI tutors, retrieval + classification, product prototyping, Agentic workflows, parallel planning (“Quantum UX”), humane UX, K-12 pilots, startup/VC trade-offs, parenting with tech, curiosity and learning.

Important Disclaimer:

This episode includes discussion of suicide and related mental health topics. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking about self-harm, please reach out for help immediately.

In the United States:

Call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or dial 911 in an emergency.

In Canada:

Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645.

If you are outside the U.S. or Canada:

Visit https://www.opentohope.com/suicide-hotlines/ or your local health authority for crisis numbers in your region.

You are not alone, and help is available right now.

Hashtags:

#AIForKids #EdTech #Parenting #ProductDesign #AgenticAI #QuantumUX #StartupLessons #OnlineSafety #SmolDerPodcast #SethRaphael #HelloWonder #Noggin