Tech bros have done it again - created another “solution” to a problem that doesn’t actually exist. Welcome to Bondu, the startup promising to solve childhood loneliness with an AI-powered dinosaur plush toy that’ll allegedly be your kid’s new bestie.

In a move that screams “we totally understand human connection,” this SoMa-based company is marketing a $200 talking dinosaur targeting children aged 3-9. Their big pitch? Replacing screen time with an emotionally manipulative robot friend. Because nothing says “healthy childhood development” like an algorithm masquerading as companionship.

The Silicon Valley “Fix” for Childhood Interaction

Bondu’s CEO Fateen Anam Rafid proudly claims kids “fall in love with the toy in an hour,” which sounds less like a feature and more like a dystopian warning. Child health experts are decidedly not impressed, with concerns ranging from inappropriate emotional attachment to potential developmental disruptions.

The Questionable Promise of AI Friendship

While the toy promises guardrails against discussing inappropriate topics, the real question remains: Do we really want our children’s emotional intelligence shaped by lines of code? Childhood development experts argue that these AI companions could fundamentally undermine crucial social learning experiences.

The Bigger Tech Problem

This isn’t just about a talking dinosaur - it’s another example of tech culture’s persistent belief that algorithms can solve deeply human experiences. Spoiler alert: they can’t. Real connection, empathy, and social skills come from authentic human interactions, not preprogrammed responses from a plush toy.