Our Story
Welcome to TeddyBot, where innovation meets imagination in the world of educational toys and robotics.
We’re pioneering a new frontier in early childhood education, blending advanced AI technology with the timeless appeal of a teddy bear. Our goal is to uplift all children through playful, personalized educational support that is educator-refined and grounded in ethical hyper-personalization.
Patrick Deegan, CTO
Our Mission
Vision
Our vision is free children from screens and to uplift children of all learning abilities through super-powered, playful, personalized interaction. TeddyBot is not just a toy; it’s a companion that grows with your child, making learning a magical journey.
Data Ethics
We prioritize the privacy and security of our young users. We’ve built an ethical data ecosystem where user privacy is paramount. Through Self-Sovereign Identity and Ocean Protocol, we ensure that all data processing is handled with the utmost care and transparency.
Our Team
Our experience with advocating for Self-Sovereign Identity and conducting in-depth propaganda research gives us a unique perspective on ethical engagement and trust in the digital realm.
Patrick Deegan, PhD
CTO, founder
Our CTO, a pioneer in AI and robotics, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for transformative educational tools.
- 15+ years of founder and C-level startup experience
- Expertise: robotics, AI, low-latency distributed systems, Blockchain, data privacy and Self-Sovereign Identity
- Multiple patents: force sensing motion control, collaborative robots, and low-latency Blockchain based transaction networks
- Led the development of 7 humanoid robots, several are award-winning: Time Magazine’s Top 50 inventions of 2008 and 2012.
Katie Joseff
CEO, founder
Our CEO has spent years researching and addressing the threats of misinformation and emerging technologies. She is thrilled to be creating an empowering solution!
- Policy lead for misinformation, media literacy, elections at US/CA TikTok
- Extensive research on the ethics of emerging technologies and the impacts of computational propaganda on individuals, democracies, and public health
- Advocacy for federal and state protections of youth using technology
- Forbes 30 under 30 2024
Our Advisors
We are privileged to be guided by a distinguished group of advisors. These esteemed individuals are thought leaders in their respective fields. They provide us with invaluable insights and direction as we navigate the exciting intersection of AI, robotics, and education.
Samantha Shorey, PhD
Professor at UT Austin
- Researches how AI and robots integrate into workplaces and homes
- Lead PI for NSF grant that created a “robot observatory” at UT Austin
- Named to Stanford’s AI100 Panel
Samuel Woolley, PhD
Professor at UT Austin
Researches digital politics, automation/AI, social media manipulation, political polarization, and emerging technologies
Author of Manufacturing Consensus and The Reality Game: How the Next Wave of Technology Will Break the Truth
Antoinette Quarshie
Dean of Students, Riverdale Country School
- 27 years of experience as an educator
- Works with students all over the world