Are AI toys ethical?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be found everywhere these days, from the smartphones in our pockets to the microwaves in our kitchen. So, it only follows that AI-powered children's toys are reaching new heights of popularity. However, when it comes to kids' toys, how smart is too smart? With the smart toy market expected to reach $54 billion by 2024 (around £42bn / AU$76bn), manufacturers are increasingly developing and releasing toys that can connect to the internet and learn as children interact with them. As there currently isn't any official'mark of quality' for AI devices (although the Foundation for Responsible Robots are making headway in this area), it's no wonder that people are concerned about the safety and ethics of giving robots to children as playthings.