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Chatbot Plush Toys Expose Safety Flaws and Privacy Risks
Curio's $99 AI plush toys engage children aged three and up in monitored, age-appropriate conversations as an alternative to screen time, amid rising industry interest and privacy concerns.
- On August 15, 2025, The New York Times reported that AI-powered stuffed animals Grem, Grok and Gabbo are emerging as screen-free alternatives for children as young as three.
- Earlier this year, a Vocal Media article detailed how AI plushies evolved from simple teddy bears to dynamic companions merging emotional intelligence with sustainability, foreshadowing current smart toys, according to Custom Plush Maker’s blog on July 16, 2024.
- These chatbots incorporate voice recognition and are marketed as screen-free alternatives, with Curio’s three plushies hiding a Wi-Fi-enabled voice box that connects to AI models for toddler conversations.
- For parents and educators, critics warn these toys may replace genuine human connections, with Hess arguing they suggest `the natural endpoint for curiosity lies inside their phones`.
- Toys like Gabbo are set to boom in the coming years, as Mattel plans to launch OpenAI-powered AI play experiences later this year, with regulators calling for stricter data guidelines.
Insights by Ground AI
14 Articles
14 Articles
AI plush toys promise screen-free play for kids— but at what cost?
Curio's new stuffed animals uses AI to interact with children. While marketed as alternatives to screens, concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the nature of childhood play have emerged, suggesting a complex relationship with technology.
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
34% Left
L 34%
C 33%
R 33%
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