Skyrocket, a Los Angeles-based toymaker, is launching Poe, the first-ever talking teddy bear that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create and read stories to children.
Hitting stores in August for $50, Poe represents a new wave of AI-powered toys designed to keep kids engaged and spark their imaginations.
However, is it capable of replacing parents when it comes to storytelling?
Unveiling Poe's Storytelling Magic
This plush bear comes to life with an accompanying app. Using a simple interface, children choose characters, objects, and settings to personalize their stories. The app then utilizes Microsoft Azure and ChatGPT 4o, an AI chatbot, to generate a unique narrative.
This story is then transmitted to Poe via Bluetooth, allowing him to speak the tale in his childlike, AI-generated voice.
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The Creativity Behind the AI
Skyrocket has partnered with ElevenLabs to provide Poe's voice and ensure consistency across different languages. The app itself employs "guardrails" to filter out inappropriate content and cater to different age groups. For instance, parents can block scary elements or tailor content for younger children.
Initially, it was touted to be available by 2028, but surprisingly, it was released four years earlier.
Putting Limits on AI Storytelling
While Poe offers endless storytelling possibilities, there are practical limitations. The bear itself lacks internet connectivity and microphones, focusing solely on generating pre-programmed stories. Additionally, Skyrocket incorporates cost-saving measures, limiting story length and the number of stories generated with the initial purchase (75 stories). However, the company is considering offering free additional stories in the future.
What Kids Think of Poe
Early testing demonstrates that Poe captures children's attention. While complex storylines might be challenging for younger kids to follow, Poe encourages creativity and experimentation as they test the app's capabilities. However, some stories can veer into the "uncanny valley" with vocabulary choices that feel out of place for a children's narrative.
The Rise of AI-Powered Play
Poe represents the leading edge of a growing trend - AI integration in toys. Furthermore, tools like ChatGPT are making it easier for parents to create their own AI-powered bedtime stories without additional hardware.
Comparing Poe to Teddy Ruxpin: A Legacy Reimagined
For some parents, Poe might evoke memories of Teddy Ruxpin, a beloved animatronic bear from the 1980s that featured pre-recorded storytelling tapes. While Teddy Ruxpin offered a cohesive narrative with dedicated writers and voice actors, Poe relies on AI-generated storylines.
Skyrocket envisions the app creating sequels to user-generated stories, but it remains to be seen how effectively AI can capture the emotional connection fostered by human-created narratives.
Beyond Bedtime Stories: A Spark of Creativity
Despite limitations, Poe offers potential as a creative tool, according to CNET's Bridget Carrey. The unconventional stories it generates can spark interesting discussions about storytelling and inspire children to create their own narratives.
At the end of the day, nothing can beat parents in telling bedtime stories to their little ones. The edge of AI is the volume of stories to tell, but parents still have a "more human" and creative connection than a chatbot.
