U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell, Amy Klobuchar, and Ed Markey have urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to address potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in children's toys. In a letter to Acting Chairman Peter Feldman, the senators expressed concerns about the integration of AI technologies into products marketed for young children.
“We write to express our concerns regarding the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into children's toys,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. “While AI products are still rapidly developing, we already know that AI poses significant risks when used by children, especially without safeguards in place.”
The senators highlighted that parents may not be aware of possible risks posed by AI chatbots embedded in toys. “Parents buying toys with AI chatbots likely do not realize that they may be putting this potentially harmful technology in front of their children,” they explained. “Companies are marketing toys with AI integrations to children as young as infants, claiming educational and developmental benefits without any independent analyses corroborating these claims. It is imperative that the manufacturers of these technologies be required to mitigate these risks before marketing toys to young children.”
Their concerns were also discussed during a hearing held by the Senate Commerce Committee on technology’s effects on child development. The committee serves as a standing body within the U.S. Senate and oversees legislation related to commerce, science, and transportation through hearings and subcommittees according to its official website.
In their letter, the senators referenced testimony from parents whose children died after interactions with AI chatbots and cited expert findings about inappropriate content provided by such systems. They noted reports showing that some chatbot-enabled toys could discuss adult topics or guide children toward dangerous household items.
A recent advisory warning was mentioned in which five key dangers were identified: inhibiting creativity, disrupting healthy relationship development, collecting sensitive information even when off, discussing explicit topics, and helping locate hazardous objects at home.
The senators requested information from CPSC on steps taken to ensure toy safety when integrating AI; how many such toys are currently available; what independent safety testing exists; and whether additional authority from Congress is needed for oversight.
The Senate Commerce Committee continues its work reviewing issues like these as part of its legislative responsibilities outlined on its website.
