We have long been discussing the usage of Ai in various sectors. People are accepting AI and are willing to adopt it in ways that might make their lives better in some way or the other. Artificial intelligence is no longer alien to anybody and not even to kids. In this technologically advancing world, even children are getting smarter, and so are their needs and ways of learning or playing. Today's kids and parents expect more from toys. They wish to have toys that are smart and understand a kid's needs and help them learn accordingly. 

Smart toys are the newer wave set to transform conventional toys and the ways kids learn. Let us have a look at what smart toys are and how they are different from the other toys we all have grown up playing with. 

By definition, smart toys are interactive electronic toys. These toys behave according to preset patterns and can change their behavior based on external stimuli. They can adjust to the abilities of the player. These toys respond to the player's actions or pre-programming and are powered by cloud computing, AI, and sensor-based technologies. 

Let us look at some benefits of smart toys: 

Social Skills: Kids develop reasoning through these toys. They enable kids' perception, ways, attitude towards situations. These toys help kids with social interaction help them recognize emotions and feelings. 

Improved imagination: Smart toys also inculcate imagination that leads to the development of cognitive skills in kids. The various functionalities offer various capability developments in kids. This also helps in evolving their thought process based on their interest areas. 

Learning: The biggest USP of smart toys is their teaching capability, or to say, education. These toys introduce kids to technology and the digital world. They provide basic STEM understanding to kids and hence are critical to kids' learning.  

These toys enhance self-esteem and confidence and also contribute in fine motor skills. Another plus with these smart toys is that it helps solitary play, which is much-needed by working partners with single kids. Interactive smart toys also help kids develop feedback and communication styles which helps parents understand the weaknesses and strengths of the child. Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR, and Oculus Rift are some of the toys that incorporate virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Internet-enabled toys may also use AI to track, predict, and guide players to develop new skills. GoCube's Smart Cube is a good example. Orboot Earth AR by PlayShifu is an interactive globe that helps kids to explore Planet Earth. Learn about countries, cultures, food, animals, cultures and more. Emotix Miko companion robots are powered by deep learning AI, Miko knows how to connect with kids. It's curious, expressive, and surprisingly empathetic. 

 In May of 2021, the World Economic Forum announced the eight winners of the inaugural Smart Toy Awards. The competition used four design and assessment guidelines to evaluate applicants and select winners of the inaugural Awards. The decision was based on factors such as Data privacy and cybersecurity, which checks how the toy protects children and other users' data privacy and cybersecurity. The next one is Accessibility: How is the toy accessible for children with physical, mental, and learning disabilities, including neurodiversity, and children speaking languages other than English and from other cultures? The next is the use of AI and transparency: How does the toy innovatively use AI, and how do the benefits of its use outweigh potential risks? How is the use of AI communicated to the child user and their parents/guardians? 

Age appropriateness and healthy play: How is the toy age – and developmental stage – appropriate, and how does it promote healthy play and child development? 

The eight winners are Intelino, Twin Science, LEGO, Leka, PlayShifu, ROYBI, CoderMindz and LuxAI. HotWheels, the kids' favorite too, now has HotWheels AI that uses computer-enhanced Artificial Intelligence to help guide your car around the track. Even Mattel's Hello Barbie and Genesis Toys' My Friend Cayla dolls are smart.  

It is evident that with increased usage of the internet, smart toys are going to be more than welcome. However, there are a few concerns too around smart toys. There have been concerns of safety, privacy, monitoring, and ethics associated as is with every application of AI and other similar technology. This increases parents' responsibility, and it is important that we set clear regulations on child's privacy and rights. Furthermore, the data collection has to be consented to by parents even if the data collection is for further training and improving the toy. 

Toy manufacturers should work closely with psychologists and pediatricians to create ethical content that benefits children.