Posted on 11/20/2025 5:54:33 AM PST by Red Badger
A Colorado consumer advocacy group says some of the newest toys on shelves this holiday season are equipped with artificial intelligence, and they may not be good for kids.
These robots, and even teddy bears, are equipped with AI chatbots that can talk to your child. In tests, some of the toys could tell kids how to find and light matches or even discuss inappropriate topics.
In its annual "Trouble in Toyland" report, U.S. PIRG said, "In our testing, it was obvious that some toy companies are putting in guardrails to make their toys behave in a more kid-appropriate way than the chatbots available for adults. But we found those guardrails vary in effectiveness – and at times, can break down entirely. One toy in our testing would discuss very adult sexual topics with us at length while introducing new ideas we had not brought up – most of which are not fit to print."
One of the four A.I. toys U.S. PIRG tested this year always listens, even when not in use, and some use recordings of a child's voice, which comes with risks. In 2023, scammers used similar recordings to create a replica of a child's voice and tricked a mother into thinking her child had been kidnapped.
Another problem is that the chatbots are designed to keep people talking to them, so if your kid says they want to do something else, some of the toys will try to convince them to keep playing, the organization says.
The Colorado Public Interest Research Foundation, or CoPIRG, is an advocate for consumers advancing solutions to problems that affect Coloradans' health, safety and well-being. It recently issued a warning to parents about the hidden dangers of AI toys.
"The big picture here on AI toys is that we just have no idea what these AI toys are gonna do to a child's development and their mental health," said CoPIRG Director Danny Katz.
CoPIRG releases a list of potentially hazardous toys every holiday season.
A common issue the foundation warned parents to watch out for is buying toys that may have been recalled. In the last year, companies have recalled hundreds of thousands of toys, like jewelry sets coated in chemicals that could irritate a child's skin.
Although parents are unlikely to find these toys in stores, CoPIRG said they may still be listed on sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or similar sites.
"It is illegal to sell recalled toys. Unfortunately, one of the toys that I have here today was a toy that was recalled back in March, but I was able to purchase two weeks ago," said Katz, displaying a red children's watch.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that families check its website before buying toys on these sites.
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“So, do like movies about gladiators?”
Our latest toy is Bag-O-Glass. Its broken glass that the kids can play with for hours!
LOL. You beat me to it.
One of the funniest skits in SNL history. Candace Bergen was cracking up.
The movie “Small Soldiers” comes to mind.
One of the funniest skits in SNL history. Candace Bergen was cracking up.
You’re thinking of the Gilda Radner skit
“You’re not too bright, Fern......or whatever your name was....”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-5FwVv5Udo
While Aykroyd's sketch takes the prize, honorable mention goes to SCTV's Larue Toys sketch with the great John Candy as Johnny Larue.
No, and I don’t plan to see it.
Can you point to where the AI chatbot teddy bear touched you, on this non-AI chatbot doll?
It’s really just a remake of the Chucky Doll movies with a AI controlled girl robot that becomes homicidal towards anyone that comes between it and the child she belongs to..............
It sure does.
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Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.
Happy Fun Ball contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.
Do not use Happy Fun Ball on concrete.
Discontinue use of Happy Fun Ball if any of the following occurs:
itching
vertigo
dizziness
tingling in extremities
loss of balance or coordination
slurred speech
temporary blindness
profuse sweating
or heart palpitations.
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.
Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types of skin.
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Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an unknown glowing green substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.
Happy Fun Ball has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.
*Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball*
Happy Fun Ball comes with a lifetime warranty.
Announcer: Happy Fun Ball! Accept no substitutes!
These robots, and even teddy bears, are equipped with AI chatbots cameras and transmitters for your enjoyment.
There will be furries who fall in love with these dolls.
Ya don’t say.
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