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Insights from CES: Could Kid-Friendly Physical AI Agents Become the “Training Wheels” for AI Literacy?

avatar Lyonne Zhu  January 28, 2026

In this CES 2026 insight piece, Digital Safety Tech Policy Fellow Lyonne Zhu explores the rise of physical AI agents designed for children and what they could mean for the future of digital and AI education. Lyonne examines how well-designed, intentionally limited AI tools may help young people learn how to interact with AI, while reinforcing boundaries, critical thinking, and safety.

Drawing on observations from CES sessions on youth mental health, platform design, and AI governance, the piece raises essential questions about privacy, supervision, emotional dependency, and what responsible early AI experiences should look like for kids. As AI becomes a core part of childhood, this piece challenges policymakers, companies, and families to rethink not whether kids should use AI… but what kind of AI they should encounter first.

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Lyonne Zhu

Lyonne Zhu is the Digital Safety Tech Policy Fellow at the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). She is a second-year Master of Arts in International Relations candidate at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, where she focuses on technology policy, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Lyonne brings experience in policy analysis, digital communication, and program design from her work with city governments, international organizations, and nonprofits. At FOSI, she is passionate about making emerging technologies more accessible and ensuring that online spaces are safe for children and families.