Researchers have raised concerns over artificial intelligence-powered toys designed for children under five, warning the technology can misread emotions and respond inappropriately, potentially affecting early childhood development, reports BBC.
A year-long study by researchers at University of Cambridge observed children aged three to five playing with Gabbo, a cuddly AI toy developed by Curio that includes a voice-activated chatbot from OpenAI.
The study found that children often struggled to converse with the toy, which had difficulty recognizing interruptions, distinguishing between child and adult voices, and responding appropriately to expressions of affection or sadness.
“When one three-year-old said ‘I’m sad,’ Gabbo replied: ‘Don’t worry! I’m a happy little bot. Let’s keep the fun going. What shall we talk about next?’” said co-author Emily Goodacre, noting such responses could confuse children who are learning social cues.
Researchers said regulators should ensure AI toys marketed to toddlers provide “psychological safety” alongside physical safety. Co-author Jenny Gibson emphasized that parents should be aware of the potential emotional effects of such technology.
Curio, which produces Gabbo, said it prioritizes parental controls and transparency and considers research into children’s interactions with AI toys a key focus.
Meanwhile, Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza called for stronger regulation to protect young users in both educational and home environments.
Experts recommend that AI toys be used in shared spaces under parental supervision. Some nursery workers also remain cautious, stressing that early childhood learning is better supported through human interaction rather than AI devices.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
