How Artificial Intelligence will Change the Future of Smart Toys

With the use of AI and IoT infiltrating almost every aspect of our lives, the next generation of children will experience a very different childhood than our own. They will grow up with technology influencing their entire life, including the toys they play with. What is the future of toys? Will Sally the doll become friend or foe? That question remains to be answered.

The Growing Market for Smart Toys

Smart toys already exist in some capacity in our modern world. With Artificial intelligence allowing these smart toys to learn about a child’s favorite colors, songs, and even recognize family members, smart toys can tailor learning experiences for them. The market for smart toys continues to expand, and is projected to be valued at $18 billion by 2023.

The Risk of Smart Toys

While smart toys could revolutionize the learning experience for the next generation of children, if they are not developed ethically and responsibly, they could also pose a massive security risk to children's safety and use of their personal data. They are essentially robotics for kids, which have the power to record and later sell years of data to the highest bidder.

Just as our generation's favorite doll or teddy bear became a trusted confidant, so too will the next generation of children seek to confide in their trusted stuffed pal. The difference is that these toys are essentially surveillance tools which record everything a child says and does. Is their secret really safe?

We’ve Already Been Warned

Most of us have already heard of the stories of children’s monitoring devices and even toys being hacked, allowing complete strangers direct access to your family’s private life. The dangers are therefore not only limited to data being recorded in the first place, but the toys themselves being hacked from outsiders.

The Future of Smart Toys

With so many positive aspects of smart toys-- they are able to customize each child’s learning experience from the data collected, and help children develop their cognitive, social and motor skills, it’s important regulations are established to allow children to benefit from a tailored learning experience, while keeping them and their data safe.

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