Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the risks to children of toys with built-in AI chatbots; and what steps he is taking to protect children from those risks.
Answer
Children’s safety is our top priority, and toys sold in the UK must meet our strict product safety requirements, including where AI is used. Businesses, including manufacturers must ensure the products they place on the market are safe and compliant and take appropriate action if safety risks are identified. The Government recently conducted a Call for Evidence on the Toys (Safety) Regulations, seeking views on the implications of AI-enabled toys and whether the existing regulatory framework remains fit for purpose. The evidence gathered is now being considered, and the Government will set out its response in due course.17% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (48/100)
The reply only partly answers the question. On the first part, the department's view of the specific risks AI chatbot toys pose to children, it gives general statements about safety being a priority, existing rules applying, and evidence still being considered, without stating a concrete assessment. On the second part, what is being done to protect children, it gives a direct answer: the Toys (Safety) Regulations cover AI-enabled toys, and a Call for Evidence is reviewing whether that framework remains fit for purpose, with a response still to come. The asker would likely need to follow up for a specific view on the risks.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the department's assessment or view of the risks to children of toys with built-in AI chatbots? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply never states the department's view of the specific risks AI chatbot toys pose to children. It offers only a general safety-priority platitude, a statement that existing rules apply, and a note that evidence on AI-enabled toys is being considered, so the substance of an assessment is missing. |
| What is the department doing about protecting children from those risks? | Addressed | Direct | The reply names concrete existing action, namely the Toys (Safety) Regulations framework that covers AI-enabled toys and a Call for Evidence on whether that framework remains fit for purpose, with a committed response to follow. That answers what the department is doing to protect children, even though the outcome is still pending. |