Silicon Valley’s latest tech marvel is causing quite a stir in parenting circles. A new startup called Bondu is developing an AI-powered plush dinosaur designed to be a “companion” for children aged 3 to 9, promising to replace screen time with interactive play. But child health experts are raising serious red flags about the potential psychological impacts.

The $200 toy uses advanced language models to engage children, telling jokes, sharing trivia, and even helping kids navigate stressful situations. Bondu’s founder, Fateen Anam Rafid, believes the toy can solve parents’ screen time guilt by offering an entertaining and educational alternative.

However, child development experts are deeply concerned. Robbie Torney from Common Sense Media warns that generative AI technology is still too new and potentially risky, especially for young children. The organization recommends that children under 5 should not use AI chatbots at all, even with adult supervision.

The primary concern is emotional attachment. Experts worry that children might struggle to understand that these AI companions are not sentient beings. Marc Fernandez from AI startup Neurologyca emphasizes that “the biggest competition to these AI toys is going to be human connection”.

Bondu claims to have built safeguards into the toy, including content filters and parental monitoring features. The toy is programmed to deflect inappropriate questions and alert parents through a companion app. Despite these precautions, critics argue that the toy could potentially interfere with crucial developmental processes.

Robert Weissman from Public Citizen calls the concept a “reckless social experiment,” arguing that the potential risks far outweigh any perceived benefits. He suggests that traditional stuffed animals encourage more creative and imaginative play.

As AI continues to evolve and integrate into our daily lives, this debate represents a critical intersection of technology, childhood development, and parental concerns. The question remains: Are we creating companions or potential emotional substitutes?