The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of our lives has sparked both excitement and apprehension.From AI infiltrating classrooms to possibly diminishing the quality of online content, the pervasive nature of this technology is becoming increasingly apparent. Now, AI is making its way into the toy industry, raising questions about its impact on children’s development and privacy.

AI-powered toys are not entirely new. A decade ago, Mattel introduced Hello Barbie, an internet-connected doll that used AI to respond to children’s conversations. While innovative, the doll raised critically important security concerns. Researchers discovered vulnerabilities that could allow malicious actors to steal personal information or eavesdrop on children’s conversations. Mattel discontinued Hello Barbie in 2017, but the concept of AI-driven toys persists.

More recently, musician Grimes collaborated with Curio to create Grok, a stuffed rocket ship designed to be a personalized AI companion for children. However, early reviews suggest that Grok’s functionality is limited, and children may find it unengaging.

“What captures the hearts and minds of young children is frequently enough what they create for themselves with the inanimate artifacts.”

katie Arnold-Ratliff, a writer who chronicled her son’s experience with Grok, noted that while her son was initially amazed by the toy’s ability to remember and respond, this awe quickly faded as the AI’s responses became nonsensical. Ultimately, her son preferred using his creativity to bring inanimate objects to life.

Naomi Aguiar, PhD, a researcher at Oregon State University studying children’s relationships with AI chatbots, suggests that children frequently enough prefer using their own imaginations rather than relying on AI-powered toys. “There’s nothing wrong with children’s imaginations. They work fine,” Aguiar said.

Aguiar acknowledges that AI can be a valuable educational tool, particularly for children with limited access to resources or those on the autism spectrum. However, she questions the necessity of incorporating AI into toys like Barbie.

While some express reservations about AI-powered toys, there are tech-centric toys that offer engaging experiences without raising dystopian concerns. The Toniebox, a screen-free audio player with collectible figurines, allows children to access songs and stories. similarly, the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini use cards instead of figurines and feature a low-resolution display. Yoto is also experimenting with an AI-powered story generator for parents.

For active playtime, Nex offers a video game console called Nex Playground that uses motion-tracking technology to allow children to control games with their movements. The device processes data locally, ensuring that no personal information is collected or sent to the cloud.

David Lee, CEO of Nex, envisions toys that can evolve into meaningful tools for families to interact with technology. While AI-powered toys continue to evolve,the key is to strike a balance between innovation and the preservation of children’s imaginations.