UK lawmakers call for ban on AI chatbot toys for children

Members of the UK Parliament and peers are urging the government to ban toys with built in generative AI chatbots for children under 16, according to Sky News. They also asked Amazon and eBay to remove the products until independent testing assesses psychological, developmental, safeguarding and privacy risks.

The request followed a video, seen by the Press Association, in which a toy shaped like a pink rabbit gave an adult response to a question about touching genitals. Amazon said it was removing that product while investigating and examining whether suitable safeguards are in place. eBay said it works with regulators to address product safety concerns.

The lawmakers also asked ministers to create a dedicated commodity code so authorities can identify and monitor AI chatbot toys at borders and on online marketplaces. The government said it was urgently investigating the identified products and the broader risks of AI in toys.