Childcare experts are urging Mattel to cancel its partnership with OpenAI to integrate AI into children’s toys. According to Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, such technology could negatively affect children’s social development and relationships, as kids may struggle to differentiate between reality and play. Weissman warns that toys with human-like voices could pose real risks to children, calling the collaboration a “reckless social experiment.”
While Mattel aims to leverage AI for enriching play experiences and expanding brand reach, experts express concern over the psychological implications of early AI exposure. Psychiatrist Soren Dinesen Ostergaard highlights the risk of unhealthy attachments to AI, potentially fueling cognitive dissonance and delusions in vulnerable children. Overall, opinions suggest that the potential downsides of AI in toys significantly outweigh any benefits. Parents are encouraged to critically assess the impact of AI technologies on children’s developmental health.
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