Key points

AI toys can chat, but lack the rich context needed for true language learning.

While human interaction drives vocabulary growth, AI risks crowding out real dialogue.

AI toys may supplement talk, but cannot replace caregiver-led conversations.

Post by Izzy Ford, Jenna Leadbeater, and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff

Here come the holidays, and the toy industry is revving up with AI chatbots built into stuffed animals and mini robots. These toys are flexible enough to conduct limited conversations with children and to respond to them just as they finish talking. Are these interactions enough to provide the “personalized education ” one company claimed? Will toys like Curio’s Grem help or harm children’s language development?

Contextual Language Learning and Caregiver Conve

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