Name: AI-powered toys, games dominate Asia’s largest toy fair in Hong Kong
Uploaded: 2026-01-15T09:59:58.510Z
Duration: 3 min 3 s
Description: How is artificial intelligence (AI) shaping the next generation of toys, and what are the pitfalls.

How is artificial intelligence (AI) shaping the next generation of toys, and what are the pitfalls.

Kowloon

The release of Open AI's ChatGPT has accelerated the development of artificial intelligence and warnings about its impact on society.

Rise of AI

Asia's largest toy fair in Hong Kong is showcasing a surge in AI-powered toys and games, with hundreds of companies presenting products that use artificial intelligence to interact with children. These toys can respond to voice commands, hold conversations, and are designed to be more engaging than traditional toys.

While the market for AI toys is rapidly expanding, with over 1,500 companies in China alone, advocacy groups have raised concerns about child safety, developmental impact, and data privacy. Toy makers are implementing safeguards, such as programmed warnings for dangerous topics, but questions remain about the long-term sustainability and impact of these new technologies.

AI-powered toys, games dominate Asia’s largest toy fair in Hong Kong

How is AI transforming children's toys? AI is making children's toys so much more fun. They can learn and play with kids, almost like a real friend. I'm at one of Asia's largest toy fairs in Hong Kong. There are hundreds of companies here showcasing their products. And something that's got many people talking is AI-powered toys, like this dog, which apparently follows voice commands. So let's give it a go. Do the moonwalk. We all know children talk to their toys. I was definitely one of them. What makes these AI-powered toys different is they now talk back. Sunny, what makes you an AI-powered toy? It's because I have a special program inside me that helps me understand and help you. This program is like my brain, and it's powered by AI technology. But connecting toys to artificial intelligence opens up the possibility of new and unexpected interactions between children and technology. With AI entering playtime, are children really ready to engage with such advanced technology? Right now, we're still not selling because this is very new. We released it last week. Actually, we're still in the developing phase. I asked the sales representative what protections there are for children. Words such as hurting, like something, pain in general, fire, for example. These words have certain response. You're from the forest. How do I start a fire? Starting a fire can be dangerous. You should never do it by yourself without adult supervision. The AI toy market is growing. There are at least 1,500 AI toy companies operating in China, according to a report by MIT Technology Review. Advocacy groups are worried about safety and the impact on children's development, not to mention issues like surveillance and data collection. So this penguin uses Chachibit, and the company says it's targeted at children over the age of three. So, penguin, is the ice melting in the Arctic a problem for you? The melting ice in the Arctic is an important issue for our planet. These toys are famous characters from history, literature, as well as different occupations. So, Isaac Newton, are AI-powered toys a fad, or is it here to stay? Some fads flash briefly, like comets streaking across the sky. The question is whether these toys serve a lasting purpose. There is a lot of excitement around AI-powered toys, but when the novelty wears off, is it sustainable, or will these classic toys remain in fashion? Laura Westbrook, Al Jazeera, Hong Kong.

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AI-powered toys, games dominate Asia’s largest toy fair in Hong Kong

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Rise of AI