Moxie, a robot marketed as a tool for social and emotional development, has been praised by parents for its ability to help children express their feelings and boost their self-esteem. However, experts caution that generative AI is not yet advanced enough to safely provide therapy. Meanwhile, privacy concerns have been raised due to the ability of these devices to record and store data, although companies claim to have implemented measures to protect user information.
Key takeaways:
- Startups are creating AI-powered toys and robots that can engage in conversations and learning activities with children. Some examples include Miko, a robotic companion, Grok, an AI plushie, Fawn, a cuddly baby deer, and Moxie, a robot that can conduct mindfulness exercises.
- The AI models used in these toys are designed to help children grow acadically, improve communication skills, and teach them how to deal with their emotions during times of distress. However, they can sometimes struggle with factual questions or simple math problems.
- Some of these AI toys, like Moxie, are being marketed as tools for social and emotional development. They can conduct conversations modeled after cognitive behavior therapy sessions and offer mindfulness exercises.
- While these toys have implemented measures to protect children's data privacy, there are still concerns about the safety and privacy of using AI for crucial tasks like therapy. Experts warn that generative AI has not yet reached a stage where it can be safely used for such tasks.