Writing for New York Times Magazine, Amanda Hess described her disturbing experience with AI-powered stuffed animal Grem in a recent viral Tiktok. Her story sparked a national conversation about the dangers of exposing children to such technology. The post, titled “In Brief,” was shared at 7:39 PM PDT on August 16, 2025, providing insight into Hess’s decision-making process regarding Grem’s compatibility with her children.
At first, Hess was thrilled with the toy. She was soon enough to take precautionary steps by first detaching the voice box from Grem and only allowing her children to play with it afterwards. The very need for this decision was primarily based on worries associated with the toy’s capability to engage with little ones in surprise ways.
Looking back on her ordeal, Hess said it only underscored her fears about Grem. She said, “I wouldn’t want to be introducing Grem to my own children. If you’re like most parents, you’re understandably nervous about the increasing use of AI technology in toys meant for toddlers. This sense of betrayal reveals the depth of their fears.
Hess described Grem as “less an upgrade to the lifeless teddy bear,” suggesting that rather than enhancing children’s play experiences, the toy may introduce complexities that parents are not prepared to navigate. Her questions get right to the heart of issues surrounding how such toys will influence children’s play experiences and subsequent development.
In her post, Hess pointed to a bigger issue—one that puts limits on children’s curiosity and time for play. She stated that “the natural endpoint for [children’s] curiosity lies inside their phones,” indicating a belief that technology may deter traditional forms of play and exploration.
Having permitted her children to explore with Grem, Hess realized that she was a fly on the wall during their discussions. It led her to reconsider the use of AI in toys for kids. She challenged us all to consider if these innovations really do what they say they’re going to do.
