A new Barbie doll records what children say in order to learn from them and speak back to them.
The "Hello Barbie" doll uses speech recognition and WiFi to provide children with a more interactive experience.
A button on the Barbie's belt buckle activates the record function, and sends speech to the cloud. The doll learns about its owner in order to provide personalised responses.
A spokeswoman demonstrated the Barbie's features at a recent toy fair.
"What should I be when I grow up?" she asked "Hello Barbie."
"Well, you told me you like being on stage, so maybe a dancer?" the doll responded, recounting an earlier conversation with the woman.
Mattel said the technology provides the experience that girls have wanted for decades, but some children's advocates are not impressed.
"Kids using 'Hello Barbie' aren't only talking to a doll, they are talking directly to a toy conglomerate whose only interest in them is financial," Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood director Susan Linn said.
"It's creepy—and creates a host of dangers for children and families."
A spokeswoman for Mattel insisted that the technology used in "Hello Barbie" cannot be accessed by unauthorised users.
"Mattel is committed to safety and security, and 'Hello Barbie' conforms to applicable government standards, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act," she said.
The doll is expected to launch this fall, right in time for the holidays, and the retail price is $74.99. CNN Money reported that Mattel needs a big seller, with sales and profits dropping for their flagship brands, Barbie and Fisher-Price. Earlier this year, CEO Bryan Stockton resigned, and the company's merchandising license for the hit Disney film "Frozen" has been lost to Hasbro, starting from next year.
