AI-Powered Talking Teddy Bear Hands-On: Do You Trust This With Your Kids?

CNET
15 Jul 202408:08

TLDRSkyrocket's AI-Powered Talking Teddy Bear, Po, is an innovative toy that uses generative AI to create stories for children. Kids can customize stories through an app, which then plays them through the bear via Bluetooth. While the concept is engaging, parents may have concerns about the unpredictable nature of AI-generated content. The bear is set to retail at $50 and can tell stories in over 20 languages, with the final voice provided by 11 Labs. Early feedback suggests the stories can be quirky and sometimes spooky, raising questions about the integration of AI in children's toys.

Takeaways

  • 🧸 The AI story bear, named Po, is the first AI teddy bear that tells stories generated by ChatGPT from OpenAI.
  • 📱 Kids can use an app to choose characters, objects, settings, and themes for the stories the bear creates.
  • 🌐 The bear can tell stories in over 20 languages and allows saving and offline playback.
  • 🎧 The final voice of the bear is in partnership with 11 Labs, a company specializing in generative AI voices.
  • 👻 The stories can sometimes be quirky and a bit spooky, with characters like zombies and haunted themes.
  • 📖 Parents will have the option to block certain monsters or scary themes in the final version of the bear.
  • 🤖 The bear's stories exist in a literary uncanny valley, with random turns and sometimes strange vocabulary.
  • 🎉 The bear offers an activity for kids to practice listening and have a random story each time through the app.
  • 👶 The toy, made by Skyrocket, is an example of modern tech and AI being integrated into children's toys.
  • 🔮 Major toy makers have been exploring the use of AI in toys, and the CEO of VTEC predicted AI storytelling teddy bears would be the norm by 2028.
  • 🤖 The Po bear represents the current trend of integrating AI into toys, raising questions about trust and the role of AI in children's play.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the AI-powered talking teddy bear mentioned in the script?

    -The AI-powered talking teddy bear is called 'Po the AI Story Bear'.

  • What is the price of Po the AI Story Bear when it hits retail stores?

    -Po the AI Story Bear is priced at $50 when it hits retail stores.

  • How does the AI teddy bear generate stories?

    -The bear generates stories using an app where kids pick characters, objects, settings, and themes, and the bear uses Chat GPT to create a story from these inputs.

  • What is the role of Chat GPT in the story generation process?

    -Chat GPT is responsible for generating a short tail on the back end, which then goes through filters before being sent to the bear via a Bluetooth-connected app.

  • What is the pre-loaded story in the sample bear?

    -The pre-loaded story in the sample bear is about a young ninja girl named Sakura who fights nightmare monsters in Cy land.

  • In how many languages can the bear tell stories?

    -The bear can tell stories in over 20 languages.

  • What company is partnering with Po the AI Story Bear to provide the final voice?

    -11 Labs is the company partnering with Po the AI Story Bear to provide the final voice for the bear.

  • What are some of the concerns the reviewer has about using an AI-powered toy with children?

    -The reviewer is concerned about not knowing what an AI machine is going to say to children and the potential for stories to be quirky or spooky.

  • What kind of characters can be generated in the stories by the bear?

    -The bear can generate stories with a variety of characters, including a brave mermaid named Marina, a roller skating nurse, a prince riding a motorcycle, and a cowgirl enjoying Asian noodles.

  • How does the reviewer describe the AI-generated stories?

    -The reviewer describes the AI-generated stories as existing in a 'literary uncanny valley' with random turns and sometimes strange vocabulary.

  • What is the potential benefit of using Po the AI Story Bear with children?

    -Using Po the AI Story Bear can help children practice listening and provide a random story each time, allowing for some control over the story generation.

Outlines

00:00

🧸 Introducing Po: The AI Story Bear

Po, the AI Story Bear, is a teddy bear toy that uses generative AI to tell stories. It's equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and works with a mobile app where children can select characters, objects, settings, and themes for the stories. The bear tells stories in over 20 languages and allows for offline play. The voice of the bear is still in development, with a partnership with 11 Labs expected to provide the final voice. The bear can generate quirky and sometimes spooky stories, with options for parents to block certain themes. The script includes a demonstration of the bear creating a story on the spot, involving a mermaid, a robot, and other elements.

05:03

🤖 The Evolution of AI in Toys

The script discusses the progression of AI in toys, comparing Po to earlier animatronic toys like Teddy Ruxpin. It highlights how the creative process of storytelling has shifted from a team of human writers to an AI in the cloud. Po offers an interactive experience where children can have some control over the stories generated. The script also mentions other tech companies' interest in AI for storytelling, including Apple's use of chat GPT. The bear is made by Skyrocket, a company known for creating talking toys with modern tech. The script concludes with a reflection on the rapid evolution of AI in toys and encourages viewers to share their thoughts on the matter.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI-Powered

AI-Powered refers to devices or systems that are driven by artificial intelligence, enabling them to perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. In the context of the video, the AI-Powered Talking Teddy Bear uses AI to generate stories for children. The script mentions that the bear is the 'first AI teddy bear' and uses 'generative AI' to create stories, indicating the integration of AI technology into a children's toy.

💡Generative AI

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, music, or images, based on existing data. In the video script, 'generative AI' is used to describe the technology that powers the Teddy Bear, allowing it to create unique stories by combining various elements chosen by the child. The script specifically mentions 'chat GPT 40 from open AI' as the tool generating the stories on the backend.

💡Chat GPT

Chat GPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-like text based on prompts. In the script, Chat GPT is utilized to create stories for the AI-Powered Teddy Bear. The script indicates that the bear generates stories 'created by chat GPT 40 from open AI,' highlighting its role in storytelling within the toy.

💡Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances. In the video's context, the app used to control the Teddy Bear connects to the bear via Bluetooth, allowing the stories generated by the app to be transmitted to the bear. The script mentions that the app is 'Bluetooth connected to the Bear,' facilitating the interaction between the device and the toy.

💡Uncanny Valley

The Uncanny Valley is a concept in robotics and AI that describes the discomfort or eeriness felt by humans when a robot or simulated character appears almost, but not exactly, like a real human. The script refers to the stories generated by the bear as existing in a 'literary uncanny valley,' suggesting that the stories, while creative, can be oddly constructed or difficult to follow, much like characters in the Uncanny Valley.

💡Voice Actors

Voice actors are professionals who provide voices for animated characters or other forms of media. The script contrasts the Teddy Bear's AI-generated voice with that of professional voice actors, noting that the bear's voice currently lacks the 'Rhythm' and natural pauses that one would expect from a voice actor. This comparison highlights the difference in quality and naturalness between human and AI-generated voices.

💡Animatronic

Animatronics refers to electronically, pneumatically, or hydraulically animated figures, often used in theme parks or shows. The script mentions 'animatronic talking toy Teddy ruin' in the context of the narrator's childhood, drawing a comparison between the Teddy Bear of the past and the AI-Powered Teddy Bear of today, indicating how technology has evolved in toy design.

💡Skyrocket

Skyrocket is the company mentioned in the script that manufactures the AI-Powered Teddy Bear. The script describes Skyrocket as a company that makes 'silly talking toys that use modern tech and sensors,' indicating that they specialize in creating innovative, technology-driven toys that entertain children.

💡11 Labs

11 Labs is mentioned in the script as the company partnering to provide the final voice for the Teddy Bear. The script states that 'the final Voice is coming in partnership with 11 Labs,' suggesting that they specialize in generative AI voices, which will enhance the storytelling experience of the Teddy Bear.

💡Generative AI in Toys

The concept of using generative AI in toys is explored in the script, with the Teddy Bear being a prime example. The script discusses how major toy makers have been considering the integration of AI into toys for several years, indicating a trend towards more interactive and intelligent toys. The script also mentions industry events and panels that are focused on this topic, showing that it is a significant area of interest and development in the toy industry.

Highlights

AI is now integrated into children's toys, with the introduction of the AI-Powered Talking Teddy Bear.

The Teddy Bear, named Po, uses generative AI to create stories for children.

Po can generate stories in over 20 languages and save them for offline play.

Stories are created through an app where kids can choose characters, objects, settings, and themes.

Chat GPT from OpenAI is used to generate the stories on the backend.

The final voice of the bear is being developed in partnership with 11 Labs.

The bear can tell pre-loaded stories, such as one about a ninja girl named Sakura.

The AI-generated stories can sometimes be quirky or a bit spooky.

Parents will have the option to block certain monsters or scary themes in the final version.

The AI's storytelling can be unpredictable, with random turns and unusual vocabulary.

The bear's voice may lack the rhythm and pauses of a professional voice actor.

The Teddy Bear is an activity that can help kids practice listening skills.

Children can have control over the stories generated through the app.

The bear's storytelling can become a game as kids try to create the craziest stories.

The Teddy Bear is made by Skyrocket, a company known for making talking toys with modern tech.

Major toy makers have been exploring the use of AI in toys for several years.

The CEO of VTech predicted AI storytelling teddy bears would be the norm by 2028.

The AI-Powered Talking Teddy Bear is an example of AI's growing presence in children's toys.

The bear's testing voice is still being refined, but it is expected to evolve quickly.

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