A4 Refereed article in a conference publication
AIToys : A Conceptual Definition and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Heljakka, Katriina; Ihamäki, Pirita
Editors: Tareq Z. Ahram, Tareq Z.; Kalra, Jay; Karwowski, Waldemar
Conference name: International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics
Publisher: AHFE International
Publication year: 2025
Journal: AHFE International
Book title : Artificial Intelligence and Social Computing 2025 : Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the Affiliated Conferences, Orlando, Florida, USA, 26-30 July 2025
Series title: AHFE Open Access
Number in series: 163
Volume: 163
First page : 67
Last page: 78
ISBN: 978-1-964867-39-7
eISSN: 2771-0718
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1006037
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1006037
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515913440
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
This paper introduces the conceptual definition of AIToys, which expands on IoToys to incorporate AI capabilities. AIToys are envisioned as life-long play partners with life-wide implications in play across leisure, learning, and work life. They range from educational robots to anthropomorphized or zoomorphized social and conversational companions, exemplifying the growing robotification of toy play across generations. We explore the concept of AIToys through fictional stories, theoretical perspectives, and toy industry offerings, representing the recent evolution of IoToys, namely AIToys. These toys can learn from our behavior and adapt to how we interact, and each has a persuasion strategy to provoke emotional responses. Our research aims to define the characteristics of AIToys, identify current challenges demanding more research, and propose development directions for sustainable and ethically responsible AIToy design.
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