From Child Development to AI Innovation: Meet Dr. Pilyoung Kim
It's an honor to highlight Dr. Pilyoung Kim this Asian American Pacific Islander Month. Dr. Pilyoung Kim is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of the Brain, Artificial Intelligence, and Child (BAIC) Center at the University of Denver.
Tell us about your journey.
I was born and raised in South Korea. I originally majored in English literature, but during college I discovered my deep interest in psychology, particularly child development. You could often find me in psychology classrooms, and I eventually completed a double major in English literature and psychology.
I was passionate about helping children, especially those in disadvantaged circumstances, but I wasn't sure whether I wanted to pursue psychology, education, or public policy. After graduating, I came to the U.S. and enrolled in a master’s program in education at Harvard. While there, I took courses across all three fields, but it was the research experiences in psychology that helped me realize I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. in developmental psychology. That’s also when I became fascinated by the study of the brain.
I received my Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Cornell University. During that time, I conducted research in two places—studying the impact of poverty on children's neurobiological development at Cornell and exploring brain plasticity in new parents at Yale. One of my dissertation studies, which showed that mothers' brain structures can change after having a baby, was the first to provide evidence of structural brain plasticity in new parents. It received wide recognition and had a significant impact in the field.
After that, I completed postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), focusing on brain development in children with mood and emotion regulation challenges.
I then joined the University of Denver as an assistant professor in psychology. Time has flown. I've now been here for 13 years and am a full professor. I continue to study the impact of poverty on both parent and infant brain development through research funded by the NIH.
Since 2019, I’ve been the director of the Brain, Artificial Intelligence, and Child (BAIC) Center (https://baic.center/), where I lead research on how emerging technologies, including AI, influence child development and brain processes.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
Most recently, I’ve been deeply influenced by the rapid emergence of generative AI and its impact on children and families. My research often involves working with parents of young children who are living in poverty. These parents face high levels of stress for balancing long work hours, limited financial resources, and the challenges of parenting.
Initially, I saw great potential in digital technologies that could support high-quality learning and social interaction for children, potentially easing some of the pressure on parents. But I did not expect the generative AI revolution to happen so quickly or to be so powerful.
Now, I’m increasingly concerned about how this highly intelligent, socially responsive technology might affect children’s development. This realization has pivoted my research toward studying AI’s influence on children’s brain development and parent-child relationships, with the goal of maximizing its benefits while minimizing potential harm.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned about yourself through your life and career?
I’ve always been curious and that curiosity has led me through many different fields: psychology, neuroscience, education, English literature, and now artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. What I’ve learned is that I love finding the best way to answer the questions I care about, and that often means learning from different disciplines.
Collaborating with researchers across fields and across the globe brings me so much joy. I’ve had the opportunity to work with colleagues from places like Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan. Through these experiences, I’ve learned how to respect and integrate diverse perspectives, which enriches the work and allows us to develop more creative and inclusive solutions.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
I truly believe that every child has limitless potential and deserves equitable opportunities to thrive. Children are our future, and I find profound meaning in helping them grow, discover what they love, and build joyful relationships.
I am also deeply motivated to support and empower parents, especially those who are under pressure, to build strong, positive connections with their children. Parents are often the most important figures in a child’s life, and supporting them supports the entire family.
If you could go back and advise your younger self, what would it be?
Try more new things. Meet more new people. Gain more new experiences.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
The rapid advancement of generative AI is both exciting and concerning for young leaders. While it can enhance efficiency and create new opportunities, it also raises questions about job displacement and long-term impacts.
At the same time, young leaders have a powerful role to play in shaping how this technology evolves. AI’s future impact on society will depend on the choices people make today, especially those entering the workforce across diverse sectors.
That’s why I encourage students and graduates to actively engage with AI - learn about it, use it thoughtfully, and use your creativity and lived experiences to steer this technology toward positive outcomes for society. Organizations like GlobalMindED are uniquely positioned to support this by empowering young leaders with tools, networks, and knowledge to ensure equitable, ethical, and human-centered innovation.
More about Dr. Pilyoung Kim:
Dr. Kim is widely recognized for her expertise in brain development and human emotional bonding, particularly in parent-child relationships.
At the BAIC Center, Professor Kim’s research focuses on the emotional and social dimensions of human-AI interactions, with a strong emphasis on AI safety. She also explores the impact of generative AI on child development, including its influence on brain development and emotional and social well-being. She is also passionate about teaching students about the intersections between AI and psychological science, and often share her teaching and writing in LinkedIn.
Professor Kim has authored over 95 publications, with her research supported by prestigious funding agencies, including the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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