Global – Heeyo, an AI chatbot, is set to become a digital companion for children around the world, offering interactive tutoring and emotional support.
Launched at the beginning of August 2024, Heeyo provides access to more than 2,000 games and activities, including storytelling, trivia and role-playing adventures. Designed for children aged 3–11, the chatbot adapts to different age groups, and parents and children can build customised AI experiences.
The start-up uses advanced AI technologies – OpenAI for chat, ElevenLabs and Microsoft Azure for text-to-audio and Stable Diffusion for text-to-image tasks – while ensuring child safety through strict COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) compliance, protecting children’s data.
While some content is free, Heeyo plans to monetise through a token system, with prices ranging from £3.85 ($4.99, €4.50) for 200 tokens to £46.19 ($59.99, €54.20) for 4,000.
In our AI Edu-play-tion microtrend report, we explored how generative artificial intelligence is being applied to innovative educational resources for tech-native Gen Alphas. Heeyo is carving out a space for itself within this market, blending educational content with interactive play in a way that prioritises both safety and engagement.
Strategic opportunity
Brands targeting Gen Alpha should look to partner with Heyoo to build customised AI experiences. Kids’ snack brands, for instance, could build an educational storytelling experience centred around healthy eating