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Artificial intelligence is making its way into playtime, with AI-powered toys experiencing a surge in global popularity. Originating in China, these innovative playthings are now appearing on shelves in the US, UK, Canada, and beyond. Equipped with features like chatbots and voice assistants, these toys represent a rapidly expanding sector within the consumer AI market. A joint report by the Shenzhen Toy Industry Association and JD.com projects the AI toy market will surpass ¥100 billion ($14 billion) by 2030.

Leading the charge are companies like Haivivi, known for its BubblePal, and FoloToy, which offers custom voice training for plush toys. While these companies initially established their presence in China, they are now aggressively expanding their reach into international markets. Despite the growing enthusiasm, some parents have reported inconsistent experiences, pointing to occasional technical glitches and challenges in maintaining their children’s long-term engagement.

However, the entry of major players like Mattel into the AI toy arena signals a broader industry trend. Analyst Rui Ma highlights the advantages of China’s well-established market for educational electronics aimed at children, which facilitates the adoption of AI toys. As the market continues to mature and evolve, the integration of AI into toys has the potential to fundamentally reshape the landscape of the toy industry, offering new forms of interactive and personalized play experiences.