What he's got here is formularized. There's no individualization, no calibration to where the child is at. In Stambler's view, then, the so-called machine consciousness is bound to be nothing more than a thin facsimile of humanity. I would find it objectionable to have a plush being unreservedly positive about a television program, because that's not how I am when I watch television. It's another thing when you're a kid who's having this relationship with this talking plush.
Emotional intelligence has certain components.
These toys have no moods. Like Pinocchio, they're animated but they can't cry. Of course, someday, Stambler allows, perhaps in time for our children's children, these toys may actually exhibit and read moods. Stambler's instinct is that there might be something beneficial there. I'm less sanguine.