Toy Story 5 takes aim at creepy AI toys: 'I'm always listening' | TechCrunch
Summary
Toy Story 5 introduces a new villain, an AI tablet named Lilypad, highlighting the tension between traditional toys and modern technology, particularly concerning screen time.
Why It Matters
As technology increasingly permeates children's lives, Toy Story 5 addresses the implications of AI and screen addiction through a beloved franchise. This narrative can spark discussions about the balance between play and technology, making it relevant for parents and educators.
Key Takeaways
- Toy Story 5 features an AI tablet as the antagonist, symbolizing modern tech's influence on childhood.
- The film aims to provoke thought about excessive screen time among children.
- Characters like Woody and Jessie represent the struggle between traditional play and technology.
- The narrative may resonate with parents concerned about their children's screen habits.
- The film continues the legacy of Toy Story by addressing contemporary issues in a family-friendly format.
In Brief Posted: 8:25 AM PST · February 20, 2026 Image Credits:Pixar (opens in a new window) Amanda Silberling Toy Story 5 takes aim at creepy AI toys: ‘I’m always listening’ When the first Toy Story movie came out in 1995, Google didn’t exist yet and Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy. No one could have predicted that over thirty years later, Pixar would still be making Toy Story movies, nor could anyone have known that the latest installation in the franchise would pit Buzz Lightyear and a balding Woody against an evil AI tablet called Lilypad. But sure enough, Toy Story 5 confronts old-school toys like Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, and Slinky Dog against the sinister threat of technology. The trailer shows Bonnie, the young girl who inherited Andy’s toys when he left for college in Toy Story 2, playing outside with her toys when a surprise package with the Lilypad tablet arrives for her. She becomes completely enraptured by the tablet, not even looking up from the screen when her parents tell her that screen time is over. The Toy Story 5 trailer makes the Lilypad — or, Lily — out to be a sinister villain. When Jessie confronts the tablet about Bonnie’s wellbeing, Lily seems not to be paying attention, so the cowgirl demands that the tablet listen to her. “I’m always listening,” Lily says ominously, regurgitating Jessie’s impassioned speech in a computerized tone… and then translates it into Spanish. “Tech’s invaded our house,” Jessie tells Woody. “I’m losing Bonnie to this d...
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