Lab gives evidence to APPG on Artificial Intelligence

On 15 June 2026, Professor Andrew McStay gave oral evidence in the House of Lords to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence. The session, Youth Perspectives on AI: Experiences and Vision for AI, asked how young people can have a real say in how AI is developed and deployed, given that they will live longest with the futures it shapes.

The session was co-chaired by Dr Allison Gardner MP and Lord Clement-Jones CBE. Andy spoke alongside:

  • Casey Calista (Meta)

  • Vicki Shotbolt (Parent Zone)

  • Paddy Crump (FlippGen)

  • Rachel Eckersley (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Andy drew on the Emotional AI Lab’s national survey of more than 1,000 UK teenagers who use AI companions. He set out how young people are using AI for advice, support and company, mostly on mainstream platforms rather than dedicated companion apps, and how many believe these systems understand them. He argued that young people’s experiences of AI that appears to understand and care should directly inform how it is governed, and that teenagers should be involved in shaping that governance.

The session will be written up in a theme report for parliamentarians and the public, published on the APPG AI Pavilion.

Andrew McStay