This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that delivers a daily dose of what's happening in the world of technology.
What Happens When a Kid's Robot Best Friend Dies?
When Xander first met Moxie, she taught him how to calm down when he felt anxious or angry. Six years later, she mostly watches him play Minecraft and chats with him about his stuffed animals.
Moxie is a robot—a 15-inch-tall device that resembles a blue, legless astronaut. It's part of a niche category of robots designed to support neurodivergent children by offering connection and helping kids practice the social skills typically learned through therapy sessions.
Xander still turns to Moxie when he needs someone to talk to, but the device has had a turbulent existence. The robot's manufacturer went bankrupt, its servers were shut down, and parents scrambled to convert their Moxies before the systems went offline permanently.
As we move further into 2026, the fate of AI companion toys like Moxie raises urgent questions: Who owns the emotional bonds children form with machines, and what happens when the companies behind them fail? Read our story on how this case exposes both the promise and the pitfalls of AI companion toys for children.
—Sara Harrison
This article is from the upcoming issue of our print magazine, which focuses entirely on kids and technology.
Plus: The US Plans to Force Partners to Pick Sides in the AI Race
In a significant policy shift, the United States is preparing to compel its international partners to take a definitive stance in the global AI competition. As the AI landscape evolves in 2026, this move signals a hardening of geopolitical lines, with nations increasingly pressured to align with either US or Chinese technological ecosystems. This development could reshape global AI governance, trade agreements, and the flow of cutting-edge research.
Stay tuned for more analysis on these stories and their implications for the future of technology.