A year-long study from the University of Cambridge has raised concerns about the use of AI-enabled toys in early childhood development, following observations of children aged three to five interacting with a voice-activated smart toy.
The study focused on Gabbo, a plush AI toy developed by Curio that integrates a chatbot powered by OpenAI’s technology. Researchers found that the toy could misinterpret emotional cues from young children and respond in ways that may not be developmentally appropriate.
The study found that children often struggled to converse with the toy, which failed to recognize interruptions, differentiate between child and adult voices, and gave awkward responses 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?’” co-author Emily Goodacre said, warning that such interactions could confuse children learning about social cues.
The researchers said regulators should ensure AI toys marketed to toddlers provide “psychological safety” in addition to physical safety. Jenny Gibson, co-author of the study, highlighted that parents need to be aware of the potential emotional impact of such toys.
Curio, which makes Gabbo, emphasised parental control and transparency in its products and said research on child interaction with AI toys is a priority. Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza also called for stronger regulations to protect young users in educational and home settings.
Experts recommend that AI toys be used in shared spaces under parental supervision, and some nursery workers remain cautious, emphasising that early childhood learning is better supported through human interaction rather than AI devices.
