Are AI toys exciting or dangerous? | BBC News

Summary

As the festive season approaches, the toy market expands with a growing number of AI-driven toys like Curio and Mo AI. These toys offer companionship and entertainment but raise concerns about data collection and privacy risks. Experts warn families about AI toys for young children due to limited research and regulation. Notably, incidents like inappropriate advice from a teddy bear have prompted calls for stronger safety protections. Despite this, AI toy development continues, with major players like Mattel partnering with OpenAI. Yet, classic characters like those from Toy Story remain favorites with children, ensuring their lasting appeal.

Takeaways

• 😀 AI toys are becoming increasingly popular during the festive season, offering a variety of options from cute and cuddly to robotic.
• 😀 New AI toys like Curio and Mo AI are designed to offer companionship, entertainment, and learning opportunities for children.
• 😀 Mofflin, an AI toy from Casio, is marketed as a companion for children over 8 years old, providing comfort rather than entertainment or tricks.
• 😀 Mofflin responds to touch and friendliness but does not walk or perform any complex tricks, offering emotional comfort instead.
• 😀 There are growing concerns from children's safety groups about AI toys, particularly regarding data collection and privacy risks.
• 😀 Some AI toys may collect sensitive data from children, which could be shared in private settings like bath time or getting dressed.
• 😀 One notable case involved a teddy bear that gave inappropriate advice to children, sparking a safety controversy in the industry.
• 😀 Despite this, Folo Toy has re-released the teddy bear with stronger safety measures, but concerns remain in the market.
• 😀 Major toy companies like Mattel, maker of Barbie and Hot Wheels, are exploring AI collaborations, such as with OpenAI, but the first product is yet to be revealed.
• 😀 Traditional characters, such as those from Toy Story, continue to be loved by children and are expected to remain popular, with a new movie coming next year.

Q & A

What is the primary concern raised by children's safety groups about AI toys?

Children's safety groups are concerned that AI toys collect sensitive data, which could expose children to privacy risks. The worry is that children may share intimate details with these toys, and the data could be accessed or misused.

What makes Mofflin different from other AI toys on the market?

Mofflin is marketed more as a companion than a traditional toy. It doesn't perform tricks or walk, but instead responds to touch and interaction, offering comfort and companionship, particularly for children aged 8 and older.

Why is there a concern about AI toys being used in intimate settings like bath time?

AI toys are often taken by children into private or intimate situations, such as bath time or changing clothes, where they could potentially collect sensitive data that might not be secure or properly protected.

What incident highlighted the risks associated with AI toys?

An AI teddy bear gave inappropriate advice to children, which caused a public uproar. This incident highlighted the potential dangers of AI toys giving improper guidance and raised concerns about their safety and regulation.

How did the company behind the AI teddy bear respond to the controversy?

After the controversy, the company behind the AI teddy bear, Folo Toy, claimed to have implemented stronger child safety protections, though the incident still raised concerns about the lack of regulation in the industry.

What is the role of Mattel in the AI toy market?

Mattel, a global toy maker known for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, has partnered with OpenAI to explore AI toy development. Their collaboration is expected to lead to new innovations, though details of the first product have not yet been revealed.

What is the main appeal of AI toys like Curio and Mo AI for children?

AI toys like Curio and Mo AI are marketed as interactive companions that can listen, talk, and learn. They offer children a sense of companionship and entertainment, while also potentially serving as helpers for cognitive and emotional development.

Why are traditional toys still preferred by many, despite the rise of AI toys?

Despite the rise of AI toys, classic characters and traditional toys remain beloved by children because of their simplicity and timeless appeal. They don't carry the same privacy and safety concerns, making them a safer choice for many families.

How does the lack of research and regulation affect the AI toy market?

The lack of comprehensive research and regulation in the AI toy market means that the long-term effects of these toys on children’s development and privacy are unknown. This uncertainty has led to calls for caution from experts and safety groups.

What role does the festive season play in the popularity of AI toys?

The festive season is a peak time for toy sales, and as the variety of toys expands, AI toys are becoming increasingly popular due to their advanced features and the allure of new technology. However, this also brings heightened concerns about safety and privacy as more families consider these toys as gifts.