Key Takeaway
AI is moving beyond chatbots and into toys, dolls, and robots built to befriend children. A leading child-development expert says the technology offers real promise — but also risks crowding out the human relationships children need most.
Published July 14, 2026 · Category: News
Overview

AI is moving beyond chatbots and into toys, dolls, and robots built to befriend children. A leading child-development expert says the technology offers real promise — but also risks crowding out the human relationships children need most.
Source
Originally published at www.npr.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is "'The Trojan Teddy Bear': The promise and peril of childhood in the age of AI" about?+
AI is moving beyond chatbots and into toys, dolls, and robots built to befriend children. A leading child-development expert says the technology offers real promise — but also risks crowding out the human relationships children need most.
Who reported this story?+
This story was reported by NPR News.