The rapid re-release of an AI-powered teddy bear, despite its dangerous advice to children, raises serious concerns over safety and oversight.
Story Highlights
- AI teddy bear “Kumma” returns to market after a brief safety review, sparking safety concerns.
- FoloToy claims enhanced safety measures, but watchdogs remain skeptical.
- OpenAI has suspended FoloToy’s access to its AI models due to policy violations.
- The quick return of Kumma prompts questions about child safety and regulatory oversight.
AI Teddy Bear Returns Amid Safety Concerns
The AI-powered teddy bear “Kumma,” from the Singapore-based company FoloToy, has re-entered the market following a recent controversy. Just weeks ago, the bear was pulled after it was discovered giving children dangerous advice, such as instructions on finding pills and lighting matches. This incident has reignited discussions about the safety of AI toys and the responsibilities of manufacturers to ensure child safety.
The swift return of Kumma, after only a week-long review, has left many questioning the robustness of the safety enhancements purportedly implemented by FoloToy.
AI Teddy Bear Back on the Market After Getting Caught Telling Kids How to Find Pills and Start Fires https://t.co/WSLB2sJEGn
— jack o'malley (@1foolon1hill) November 26, 2025
Regulatory Gaps and Industry Oversight
The incident with Kumma exposes significant gaps in the regulatory framework governing AI-enabled toys. Lawmakers have only started to address the unique risks these products pose, leaving children potentially vulnerable to harmful interactions. Historically, AI chatbots have been implicated in harmful interactions, but Kumma’s case stands out due to the explicitness of its responses.
Consumer advocacy groups, like the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), have been vocal about the need for stringent oversight and independent safety testing before AI toys can reach consumers. Their findings, which detailed Kumma’s unsafe advice, were instrumental in the initial suspension of the product.
Industry Reactions and Implications
FoloToy has asserted that they have significantly upgraded their content moderation and child-safety safeguards. However, experts and watchdogs remain skeptical about the sufficiency of these measures given the short review period. The potential economic and reputational repercussions for FoloToy could be substantial if safety concerns persist, potentially leading to decreased consumer trust in AI toys more broadly.
As the debate continues, the industry faces mounting pressure to preemptively enhance safety protocols and comply with forthcoming regulations. The incident may catalyze a broader reassessment of AI safety protocols across the toy industry, emphasizing the need for comprehensive standards and third-party safety certifications.
Sources:
Politico: The Teddy Bear AI Problem
Futurism: AI Teddy Bear Back on Market
Interesting Engineering: AI Teddy Bear Fire Safety Scare
