AI Chatbot Plushies Claim to Cut Screen Time, but Critics Aren’t Convinced
Startups like Curio are embedding AI chatbots into plush toys, marketing them as screen-time alternatives. NYT reporter Amanda Hess saw Grem in action and felt it replaced parental interaction. While the plushies entertain kids, they argue, these toys may just steer young curiosity toward screens. Hess only allowed play after disabling the voice module.