By Tama Leaver
Publication Date: 2026-06-03 10:05:00
ChattyBear, a soft, brown-furred teddy bear, begins every conversation with a jubilant “Hello, my buddy!”
No longer the domain of imagination, ChattyBear is part of a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) toys. It can be telling stories, chatting about a child’s interests, playing games, or even discussing what’s happening in the world today.
These high-tech toys are powered by generative AI engines like ChatGPT and are now widely available online. They are marketed to give children ages three and up an educational advantage and a new way to play – without the dangers of screen time.
After evaluating six different AI teddy bears and toys over several months, it became clear how compelling these toys could be for children. But as our new report highlights, the emergence of AI toys in young children’s lives poses new risks.
Sounds human
Especially for younger children, understanding that their teddy or toy is not “alive” or…
