AI Toys Set to Revolutionize Childhood Play by 2035

As of November 2025, the AI toy market is experiencing rapid growth, with the industry projected to reach a staggering $270 billion valuation by 2035. China currently accounts for around 40% of this market expansion, with over 1,500 AI toy companies operating in the country as of October 2025.

These AI-powered toys are designed to engage children in new and innovative ways, with features like customizable voice and speech patterns, as well as the ability to "talk" to children through AI-powered chatbots. However, the entry of these toys into the market has raised significant concerns among experts about their potential impact on child development.

While some believe these toys could provide emotional support and improve learning, others warn that excessive screen time and over-reliance on AI companions could be detrimental to children's social and emotional skills. Experts argue that these toys may decrease real-life social interaction and interpersonal skill development, as well as diminish the importance of physical outdoor activities and creative play.

The concerns are so severe that some experts, such as Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek from Temple University, have gone so far as to describe these AI toys as "simply horrifying" from a child psychology perspective. They argue that the risks of these toys outweigh the potential benefits, as children may struggle to adjust to real-world interactions and relationships after being conditioned by AI companions.