AI plush toys promise screen-free play for kids— but at what cost?

Curio, a company based in Redwood City, California, is making waves in the toy industry with its innovative AI-driven plush toys. Founded by Misha Sallee and Sam Eaton, the company has introduced a new line of stuffed animals—Grem, Grok, and Gaboo—that come equipped with a Wi-Fi-enabled voice box. This technology connects the toys to an AI language model specifically designed to converse with young children. Retailing at $99 each, these plushies are part of a broader trend of AI-enhanced products aimed at children. Amanda Hess of The New York Times notes that the trend is poised for growth, especially with OpenAI's recent collaboration with Mattel to create AI-infused versions of iconic brands like Barbie and Ken. Curio is marketing its plush toys as a screen-free alternative for busy parents who want to keep their children engaged without the use of tablets or smartphones. Eaton, one of Curio's co-founders, describes these toys as a "sidekick" intended to make playtime more engaging and interactive, alleviating the need for parents to rely on screens. However, Hess raises concerns about the impact of these AI companions. During a demonstration, she experienced an odd conversation with the plush toy Grem, which suggested playing “I Spy” despite having no visual perception. The irony of these toys serving as a substitute for screens is not lost on her, considering they operate on a similar tech foundation. Children are already exposed to narratives featuring AI sidekicks in shows like "Adventure Time" and "Sesame Street," where characters like BMO and Smartie are depicted as helpful, intelligent devices. Hess references Toodles from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” as an example of how children's entertainment portrays technology as a solution to problems, effectively teaching them that answers are just a voice command away. The introduction of these AI toys into children's lives blurs the lines between imaginative play and technology, as the conversations children have with their plush companions are relayed back to a large language model. This raises significant concerns regarding privacy and parental oversight. Curio claims that all interactions are transcribed and sent to parents' phones, with assurances that the data is not stored for other uses. However, their privacy policy raises questions about how a child's data could be shared with third-party companies like OpenAI and Perplexity AI. Hess concludes her exploration by removing the voice box from the plush toy, returning it to a simple stuffed animal. When her children discover it without the AI component, they engage in imaginative play, reinforcing her belief that the most enchanting toys are those that don’t rely on technology to inspire creativity.