AI toys are essentially interactive devices for children. Unlike traditional toys that don’t respond, these products can listen, speak, and adapt. Some even remember children’s preferences and adjust their interactions over time.

Silicon Valley’s Solution: Education Comes First
In Silicon Valley, AI toys emphasize learning. LeapFrog, for instance, is built with tablets that combine speech recognition and interactive Q&A to train language and logic skills. The idea is that AI toys are teaching tools.

As Steve Jobs once put it, “Education is the most valuable application of technology.” That principle has guided Silicon Valley firms to tie AI closely to early education, assuming parents will pay for child growth.
The issue is that these often struggle to hold a child’s interest. Once the novelty fades, the toy feels more like school than fun.

Shenzhen’s Answer: Play Comes First
Shenzhen companies think differently, with products focusing on grabbing attention above everything. A case in point is Pulse V-1, developed by INFUNITY. It looks like a sci-fi blaster, but comes with an embedded AI companion. Children can switch between two modes: a Shooting mode with light and sound effects, and a Smart mode that recognizes objects, tells stories, and even teaches languages.

 

Spark interest first, then layer in learning. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei thinks that“Education is not about filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” For kids, fun is the entry point- once engaged, education follows.

Two Paths, One Dilemma
Silicon Valley’s education-first approach speaks to parental anxiety but risks losing favor with children. Shenzhen’s play-first strategy excites children but requires increased effort to deliver lasting educational value.

Teachers, or companions? There is no single defination for AI toys yet. The different paths taken in Silicon Valley and Shenzhen display a market still in search of balance, but ultimately, consumers will decide which model endures.