Miko's AI Off-Switch Sets New Trust Standard for Connected Toy Industry

Miko’s introduction of an AI “off-switch” marks a significant strategic pivot for the Google-backed toy company, moving from pure innovation to defensive posturing. This isn't merely a new feature; it's a direct response to mounting political and consumer anxiety over AI's role in children's development. The decision reflects a critical inflection point where the smart-toy industry is now forced to confront the public's trust deficit, setting a new benchmark for responsible technology.

This move immediately puts competitors on the defensive, creating a new market standard centered on user control and transparency. For Miko, it's a calculated gamble to get ahead of regulation, but it also risks undermining its core value proposition. The key question now is whether this preemptive compliance becomes a template for the broader consumer AI sector, signaling an end to the era of unchecked data collection in connected home devices.