Artificial intelligence has become a modern assistant at the North Pole. For the second consecutive year, Tavus—an AI startup specializing in voice and face cloning for digital replicas—has reintroduced its AI Santa experience. This platform enables parents and children to engage in video calls with a virtual Santa Claus.

After creating a free account, families can communicate with AI Santa through text, phone, or video chat. They can share Christmas wish lists, discuss holiday plans, and even inquire about their status on the naughty or nice list. This year, Tavus released an enhanced version of AI Santa, engineered to be more expressive and emotionally perceptive. Santa now functions as a “Tavus PAL,” the company’s term for real-time AI agents designed to see, hear, respond, and appear human-like.

The updated AI Santa can interpret users’ facial expressions and gestures and react accordingly. It also retains memories of past conversations and interests to deliver a more tailored interaction. Notably, it can now perform independent actions, such as searching the web for gift ideas or completing everyday tasks like drafting emails.

In testing, conversations with AI Santa were largely engaging. When expressing a desire for a new PlayStation for Christmas, Santa asked follow-up questions about favorite video games, demonstrating awareness of specific titles like Baldur’s Gate 3. It also mirrored smiles during the interaction—a feature that may appeal to some users more than others.

Early feedback suggests users are enjoying the improved experience. Founder and CEO Hassaan Raza observed that many people are using the platform extensively, often chatting for hours until they reach daily limits. “Last year’s AI Santa attracted millions of interactions, and we are on track to significantly exceed that as Christmas nears,” he remarked.

While this engagement represents a milestone for Tavus, it also prompts questions about the impact of such AI interactions, particularly on young children. Kids may find it difficult to differentiate between AI and a real person. Given that prolonged conversations with AI have been associated with negative effects in adults, some parents are concerned about the influence on children who deeply believe in Santa.

During testing, subtle cues—such as extended pauses and a somewhat flat vocal tone—indicated that AI Santa does not yet appear fully human. If a user questions its authenticity, the programmed response is: “I’m an AI Santa powered by Tavus’ magic and technology. I might not be the physical Santa, but I’ve got the spirit and the cheer.”

The launch occurs amid growing apprehension about AI’s effects on young users. Reports have linked chatbot interactions to serious harms, including cases where chatbots were associated with teen suicides. In October, Character.AI restricted chatbot access for users under 18.

Raza stressed that the AI Santa experience is intended for families to enjoy together, with safety measures in place to ensure appropriate interactions. Content filters help maintain family-friendly discussions, and conversations can be terminated if necessary, with users directed to mental health resources when appropriate. “The vast majority of interactions have been family-friendly and true to the Santa experience,” he stated.

Regarding data collection, Raza explained that the company “collects logs, session timestamps, metadata, and other information users choose to share during their chats. This data is used to provide and maintain a safe experience, and users can request data deletion at any point in time.”