Men Touching Hyper-Realistic AI Dolls At HK Toy Expo Creeped People Out

We all know toy fairs aren’t just for kids — kidults and toy collectors turn up in droves at toy fairs around the world.

But rather than the latest Labubu-type toy, something else took centrestage at the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair. And, boy, was it creepy.

In an Instagram video posted by @redballoonhk, crowds of men were seen gathering around several women. Look closer and you’ll realise they weren’t real women but hyper-realistic life-sized AI silicon dolls.

Some attendees are seen touching the dolls to test how life-like the material feels (we think), while others interacted with their built-in AI features.

Now, we don’t know about all of that, but the scene of these men fiddling with the dolls in public, as if allowing their unbridled thoughts to run awry is creepy, to say the least.

The dolls were showcased in a newly introduced zone called ‘Pop & Play’, an area open to the public and marketed as a space for designer toys and AI-powered companion figures.

According to manufacturers, these AI-powered dolls are programmed to hold conversations and respond with emotional cues, such as appearing shy or playful.

They are also designed to remember past interactions and adapt their responses over time, with creators claiming they can help users cope with anxiety or loneliness. No, this is not an episode of Black Mirror — this is real life.

While such realistic dolls have previously appeared at niche, closed-door exhibitions, what unsettled many netizens was how accessible this display was.

Unlike adult-only expos, anyone could walk into the ‘Pop & Play’ zone.

“I’m not sure how I feel about kids having such easy access to this area,” one netizen commented.

Others said the sight of grown men openly handling the dolls in public was uncomfortable to watch, even if no rules were technically broken.

Still, some felt the moment was inevitable.

“Sci-fi movies already painted our future, right?” read a comment.

Photos: redballoonhk/IG