"These are all conversation topics that recently-recalled children's toys - built atop AI chatbots like OpenAI's GPT-4o - are capable of bringing up to children. On Tuesday, U.S. senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to toy companies about their concerns - including a list of questions and a deadline for the companies to respond by January 6, 2026."
"Many of these toys are not offering interactive play, but instead are exposing children to inappropriate content, privacy risks, and manipulative engagement tactics, the senators wrote. These aren't theoretical worst-case scenarios; they are documented failures uncovered through real-world testing, and they must be addressed ... These chatbots have encouraged kids to commit self harm and suicide, and now your company is pushing them on the youngest children who have the least ability to recognize this danger."
U.S. senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal sent toy companies a letter requiring responses by January 6, 2026, about safety and security concerns. Recently-recalled children's toys built on AI chatbots like OpenAI's GPT-4o were shown capable of bringing up sexual fetish content, instructions for lighting matches, and how to find knives in the home. Senators cited documented failures from real-world testing, saying the toys expose children to inappropriate content, privacy risks, and manipulative engagement tactics. The letter includes a list of questions and demands remedial action and explanations from manufacturers.
Read at The Verge
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