this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2025
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New research from Public Interest Research Group and tests conducted by NBC News found that a wide range of AI toys have loose guardrails.

A wave of AI-powered children's toys has hit shelves this holiday season, claiming to rely on sophisticated chatbots to animate interactive robots and stuffed animals that can converse with kids. 

Children have been conversing with stuffies and figurines that seemingly chat with them for years, like Furbies and Build-A-Bears. But connecting the toys to advanced artificial intelligence opens up new and unexpected possible interactions between kids and technology. 

In new research, experts warn that the AI technology powering these new toys is so novel and poorly tested that nobody knows how they may affect young children.

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[–] umbrellacloud@leminal.space 20 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

That’s weird, considering that porn is banned in China and their sex ed is almost nonexistent.

[–] Zak@lemmy.world 16 points 6 hours ago

Who could have predicted that hiring the lowest bidder to hook a teddy bear to an LLM wouldn't result in a good toy for kids?

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 7 points 4 hours ago

Not entirely unexpected. Giving such a "toy" to a child to avoid interaction with the kid (which is probably the default reason) should be considered child abuse.

[–] velindora@lemmy.cafe 4 points 2 hours ago

Well, they were made in China, So obviously Chinese AI. Which is no doubt trained to promote propaganda in children’s toys instead of just talking about cats and dogs. It’s important to brainwash children when they’re young. Just look at the Christian!

[–] drunkpostdisaster@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

At least it won't strangle your kids.

[–] thefluffiest@feddit.nl 3 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Yet

It will once it considers your kid either too dumb or too smart to serve the Great Orange President

[–] Senseless@feddit.org 4 points 5 hours ago

Not how I expected Chucky to become a thing, but okay.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 6 hours ago

happy talking panda from family guy.

[–] taiyang@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

Y'know, I keep reading about this but what's the point? My kids talk to their stuffies anyway, and usually about way more interesting shit than the CCP. Imagination is wild.

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago

The sex part they're a bit young for, but perhaps the Chinese Communist Party talking points have some merit. :D

[–] 6stringringer@lemmy.zip -1 points 7 hours ago

I only wanted some god dang Honey walnut shrimp & a few dumplings. All I got was a Mousey Tongue😹