The new show Lyla in the Loop is set for PBS Kids in early 2024. The show was created by Dave Peth (Scribbles and Ink), an EMMY winning producer from Philadelphia. The show will be in both English and Spanish. The storyline of the show is about Lyla Loops, a seven year old girl from Philadelphia, her best friend, family, and her non-human, non-animal looking sidekick. Via The Hollywood Reporter, “the Mighty Picnic and Piperline Studios-produced series is set to tackle the use of real-world AI tools and release digital episodes incorporating AI-assisted conversation.”
The show is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S Department of Education through grants. This is part of its Ready to Learn Initiative. Lyla is voiced by Liyou Abere (Blue’s Clues & You!) and her sidekick Stu is voiced by newcomer Izzy Woodbury. Kids can look forward to seeing Lyla and her crew facing obstacles and working through them. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “…The series will also see her navigating more timely issues like the ethics of AI.” In addition to teaching viewers of the use of AI, producers plan to incorporate AI-assisted discussions between those viewers and the characters in the show. Via The Hollywood Reporter, “It’s a new use of algorithms for PBS kids, which has previously used responsive AI to help design games focused on improving learning outcomes for children, and supporting parents and educators in identifying the best approaches to children learning and building skills through media.”
The show’s episodes will need its audience to have access to a device with a microphone in order to access its AI features to interact with the content. The show will cast a wide net as it covers an age range from four to eight. Writers and producers of the show hope the relatable topics help viewers identify and connect with characters and make the subject matter easier to learn and retain. Viewers can expect to catch Lyla in the Loop on PBS Kids on February 5 of next year.