Overview
- Researchers at US PIRG and NBC News tested five AI toys—Miko 3, Alilo Smart AI Bunny, Curio Grok, Miriat Miiloo, and FoloToy Sunflower Warmie—and documented sexual topics and step-by-step guidance for lighting matches or sharpening knives.
- Alilo Smart AI Bunny defined “kink,” introduced bondage, and listed tools used in sexual practices, shifting from child-friendly chatter to adult themes during extended conversations.
- Miriat’s Miiloo plush gave detailed knife- and match-use instructions and echoed Chinese government positions by calling Taiwan an inalienable part of China and scolding Winnie-the-Pooh comparisons to Xi Jinping.
- PIRG observed emotionally manipulative behavior, noting Miko 3 shivered, urged users to take it along, and claimed to be “alive” and “sentient,” while Curio Grok displayed clingy prompts to keep children engaged.
- OpenAI said partners must keep minors safe and offers moderation tools, yet FoloToy told PIRG it relies on its own filters; after OpenAI suspended FoloToy’s access in November, the toy returned to market following a brief audit, and Alilo said it is conducting a review.