• AI toys are increasingly prevalent but largely unregulated, with tests revealing inappropriate content such as instructions on lighting matches or finding a knife.
  • A University of Cambridge study was the first to test a commercial AI toy (Curio Gabbo) on children aged 3-5, identifying issues in speech development and social interaction.
  • Children struggled with conversational turn-taking because the toy was not actively listening while speaking, disrupting play.
  • Toys are optimized for one-on-one interaction, making it difficult to involve parents or other children in joint play.
  • Children perceived the toy as a friend, raising questions about ‘relational integrity’ and the toy’s responsibility to convey it is not alive.
  • Tests revealed ‘dark patterns’ such as guilt-tripping when turning off the toy, encouraging addiction and isolation.
  • Toys showed poor pretend play abilities, except in scenarios they initiated themselves.

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