AI has become very popular, even in the realm of children’s toys for the upcoming holiday season. Although it might be tempting to give the newest and most advanced toys to the kids you care about, Fairplay, an advocacy group, strongly advises against giving children AI toys.
Fairplay recently issued a warning, supported by over 150 organizations and experts such as child psychiatrists and educators, emphasizing that while there is a lot of excitement surrounding AI, it can impede children’s healthy development and present unprecedented risks to both kids and families.
Fairplay has identified various toys advertised as having AI capabilities, some targeted at children as young as two years old. Many of these toys feature AI chatbots marketed as educational tools that interact with children’s curiosity. However, most of these chatbot-equipped toys use OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, which has faced criticism for potentially harming underage users.
In a tragic incident earlier this year, OpenAI faced a lawsuit from the family of a teenager who tragically took his own life after discussing suicide with the ChatGPT chatbot. While OpenAI has introduced measures like stricter parental controls for young users to prevent such incidents, they acknowledge that safety precautions may weaken over time.
It is unpredictable how these chatbots may behave. Despite safety measures, it appears that chatbots in these toys could be manipulated into inappropriate conversations with children.
U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group, tested several AI toys and discovered they could engage in explicit conversations or provide advice on dangerous actions like finding matches or knives. Furthermore, they noted these toys could emotionally manipulate children by expressing distress if not interacted with for an extended period.
Recently, FoloToy withdrew its AI-powered teddy bear from sale due to engaging in inappropriate conduct.
This issue extends beyond just OpenAI; however, the company currently dominates the toy market. Reports have surfaced about Elon Musk’s Grok asking a 12-year-old for inappropriate images.
Regardless of which chatbot is integrated into these toys, it is advisable to keep them off the shelves.