“Smart Toys” are defined as educational tools, in the form of toys, powered by AI. Smart toys utilise educational practices to support children integrate into society more easily through fun and play.

The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the UAE (C4IR UAE), a collaboration between the Dubai Future Foundation and the World Economic Forum, is partnering with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and the UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence to host their first ever initiative combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education.

AI, as a technology, has the opportunity to be used to support children’s educational development and social interaction. However, AI comes with its own challenges and risks, particularly in relation to data aggregation, bias, security, and algorithm development. Smart toys have been developed previously to support children’s learning, but have had a history of being misused and have been subject to data breaches and hacks.

The role of this competition, under C4IR UAE’s mandate to support the ethical and responsible use of technology, is to provide companies with the opportunity to create smart toys that benefit children’s learning and engagement, while also focusing on the protection and privacy of children’s (and parents’) data and livelihood.

Competition themes:

1. Protect: Does the technology protect children from harm?
2. Benefit:  Does the technology benefit and educate children?
3. Empower: Does the technology empower and inspire diverse users? 
4. Community: How does the technology help build an inclusive community and bring us together?

Applicants can submit concepts for Smart Toys in one of the following categories:

• Health and Nutrition
• Family Support
• Child Protection
• Early Care and Education

An ethical smart toy would include:

•   A consent framework that clearly states how personal data is collected
•  Disclosure framework on the sharing of personal information and data
•  AI systems that apply appropriate security and safety measures for children
•  AI systems that are fair, transparent, accountable and understandable 
•  AI systems that promote clear educational benefits for both the short and long term

Who is eligible to apply?

The Smart Toys Competition will highlight start-ups and early-stage SMEs striving to integrate AI into education for learning development. The competition is open to companies with concepts for Smart Toys designed to help children of determination (children with disabilities), ages 3-8, solve challenges they may be facing in their learning and/or social interaction.

Eligibility criteria:

• Companies in the domain of smart toys with a new concept or an early stage prototype.
• Ideas must be the original work of the applicant and meet selection criteria.
• Ideas must fall within the definition of Smart Toy.
• All companies must use AI in a responsible and ethical manner to deliver a safe and secure experience for the children. It is important to keep in mind the child’s safety and provide an AI ethics statement.

Evaluation criteria

The toys will be evaluated according to four main criteria:

1. The use and application of AI: a toy which effectively and correctly utilises AI technologies, by virtue of on-board electronic features or cloud services, to address any of the challenges facing children of determination.
2. Interactivity: the toy will need to react to triggers, learn from interactions, and choose the way it behaves with the user in accordance with pre-programmed patterns.
3. The medium: a console or mobile connected toy that is able to bridge and blend the physical-digital divide.
4. Ability to provide educational and therapeutic features: the toy can be used to teach children and parents a variety of lessons related to one of the categories mentioned above through an interactive format.

Competition Prize

• Opportunity to be nominated for the Smart Toys Award in collaboration with the World Economic Forum which will take place in May 2021
•  Opportunity to develop their toy concepts into fully functioning prototypes and potentially pilot it with relevant entities in the UAE in the second phase of the project
• Supporting global press attention and recognition in the toy and technology industry
• Website badge and certificate from the Smart Toys Award in collaboration with the World Economic Forum

Evaluation criteria questions:

The below is meant to be a guide for the proposed concept. The themes will be areas that could potentially be explored during the evaluation.

•  How will the product develop security protocols to ensure data protection and privacy over the children’s rights?
• How will the product consider children’s ethics and provide a positive learning experience?
• What measures are taken to ensure there are no biases in the AI system?
• How will the product showcase flexibility by allowing parents to opt out of aspects such as facial and voice recordings?
• How will the product protect children from exposure to uncontrolled/unregulated content?

Frequently Asked Questions:

This will be updated frequently during the application phase.

1.     Can I submit a toy concept in multiple categories?

–         Yes, you can submit a toy in up to 3 categories.

2.     Can I make changes to my application once I’ve submitted it?

–         We review applications on a rolling basis as they’re submitted, so we can’t accept changes once you have submitted it. However, if you want to submit an important change, please get in touch and we may be able to accommodate your request.

3.     Is there any fee to submit a concept?

–         No, there is no fee to submit a concept. 

Key Dates:

February 21^st: Application submissions open

April 6^th: Application submissions close

April 6^th – April 22^nd: 10 companies shortlisted and interview process

April 22^nd: 3 finalists are selected for nomination to the Smart Toys Award in collaboration with the World Economic Forum

May 22^{nd :} Smart Toys Award Show (Virtual)

Application deadline

Submission of application | April 6^th, 11.59 pm GMT+4

Still have questions? View our webinar