Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Aug 5, 2026
Bottom line
This bill initiates a federal study and inter-agency action plan to address potential safety, ethical, and developmental concerns posed by artificial intelligence in children's toys.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on the risks, educational outcomes, and ethical considerations of AI-enabled toys and artificial intelligence chatbots for children. Furthermore, it requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop a joint action plan within two years, outlining recommendations for legislation, administrative actions, disclosure requirements, and potential regulations concerning the marketing and sale of these toys.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that as AI technology rapidly advances and integrates into products marketed to children, proactive measures are necessary to understand and mitigate potential risks, ensuring children's safety and well-being in an evolving technological landscape. They emphasize the need for evidence-based policy to protect vulnerable populations from unforeseen harms, particularly concerning privacy, mental health, and developmental impacts.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that such studies and potential regulations could stifle innovation in the toy industry, potentially delaying the introduction of beneficial educational technologies. They might also contend that existing consumer protection laws are sufficient or that the scope of the study is overly broad, leading to unnecessary bureaucracy and compliance costs for manufacturers.
The bill is very short and clearly written, allowing ample time for an informed reader to understand its provisions and implications.
Section 1
Short Title
This section establishes the official short title of the Act as the "Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026." This provides a concise and recognizable name for the legislation, making it easier for the public and policymakers to reference and discuss the bill's purpose.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a clear and descriptive short title helps in public discourse and legislative tracking, immediately conveying the bill's focus on AI toy safety for children.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against short title provisions as they are standard legislative practice and do not have direct policy implications.
Section 2
Definitions of Key Terms
This section defines critical terms used throughout the Act, including "AI-enabled toy" (any toy with AI for two-way interaction), "artificial intelligence" (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 9401), "artificial intelligence chatbot" (interactive, open-ended natural language AI), "child" (under 14 years of age), "developer," "manufacturer," and "toy." These definitions establish the precise scope and applicability of the bill's requirements for the study and action plan.
Section 3
National Academies Study on AI-Enabled Toys
This section mandates the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on AI-enabled toys. The study must assess the risk of injury (physical, mental, emotional, social) to children, evaluate educational outcomes, examine parental control adoption, explore legal and ethical marketing boundaries, consider temporary sales suspensions, and recommend protective actions for Congress, agencies, developers, and manufacturers. It also allows for the study of any other relevant issue.
Section 4
FTC and CPSC Joint Action Plan
This section requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to submit a joint action plan within two years of the Act's enactment. The plan must include recommendations for legislation or administrative action, requirements for disclosing AI integration in toys, and regulations concerning voluntary or enforceable marketing standards, safety guidelines, periodic independent review of AI-enabled toys, or permanent or temporary prohibitions on their sale. It also requires a description of consumer and public education initiatives.