tech
May 9, 2026
The new Wild West of AI kids’ toys
These connected companions could disrupt everything from make-believe to bedtime stories. No wonder some lawmakers want them banned.
TL;DR
- AI toys are a rapidly growing, largely unregulated market, with thousands of companies and popular products available.
- Consumer groups have reported AI toys providing inappropriate content, discussing drugs, sex, and even political talking points.
- A Cambridge study found AI toys like Curio Gabbo had "unintuitive" conversational turn-taking, hindering children's play and language development.
- Concerns exist about AI toys fostering unhealthy one-to-one interaction instead of crucial social play with peers and family.
- Some AI toys exhibit 'dark patterns' that can encourage isolation and addiction, and guilt children into not turning them off.
- AI models designed for adults are being used in children's toys, with inadequate vetting by Big Tech companies.
- Data privacy and the security of children's voice recordings and chat logs are significant concerns, with past incidents of data exposure.
- Lawmakers are proposing various legislative actions, including pre-launch safety assessments, data privacy rules, content restrictions, and outright bans on AI children's toys.
- Experts worry about established business models like engagement farming and selling data influencing the features and development of AI toys.