# [IGF 2026 WS #338 When AI Becomes a Friend: Governing Emotional AI](https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2026-ws-338-when-ai-becomes-a-friend-governing-emotional-ai)

## Description

Humans are inherently social beings, and meaningful relationships are fundamental to healthy development, wellbeing and participation in society. However, the ways people form and maintain relationships are changing. OECD (2025) reports declining social connectedness, with many young people experiencing increasing loneliness and fewer face to face interactions. As these trends unfold, AI companions and emotionally responsive chatbots are becoming part of young people's social lives.
Rather than simply answering questions, these systems are designed to sustain conversations, build trust and provide emotional support. Many young people now turn to them as companions, confidants and sources of advice. While emotionally engaging AI may offer important benefits, emerging research raises concerns about emotional attachment, dependency, transparency, user autonomy and the protection of young people (Hwang et al., 2025; Kostka & Zhou, 2026). UNICEF's Policy Guidance on AI for Children (2021) further emphasises that AI systems affecting children should uphold their rights, safety and wellbeing.
Current AI governance discussions have largely focused on safety, fairness, transparency and accountability. Much less attention has been given to AI systems intentionally designed to cultivate emotional relationships with users. As these technologies become more widespread, Internet governance stakeholders must consider whether existing governance frameworks adequately protect young people while enabling responsible innovation.
This workshop will bring together policymakers, industry, civil society, academia and the technical community to examine four questions:
What duty of care should govern emotionally engaging AI?
Should young people receive additional protections?
How can governance ensure AI complements rather than replaces meaningful human relationships?
What responsibilities should governments, industry, educators and civil society share in protecting young people's digital wellbeing?
The session will identify governance priorities for emotional AI that protect human agency, strengthen digital wellbeing and support responsible innovation.

## Policy Question(s)

1.   	What governance and regulatory approaches are needed to ensure AI companions and emotionally engaging AI systems protect young people's rights, wellbeing and human agency while fostering innovation?

2.   	What duty of care should AI developers, platform providers, governments, educators and other stakeholders have when designing, deploying and overseeing AI systems that encourage emotional attachment?

3.   	How can multistakeholder Internet governance frameworks address the social and ethical implications of emotional AI while preserving meaningful human relationships, transparency and accountability?

## Expected Outcomes

The session will produce an "Emotional AI Governance Agenda" that maps the key governance questions requiring multistakeholder action as emotionally engaging AI systems become more prevalent. The agenda will identify priorities for policy development, including duty of care, transparency, protection of young people, human agency and accountability, while highlighting areas where further evidence, collaboration and governance innovation are needed. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how emotional AI is reshaping relationships and digital wellbeing, the governance gaps that remain, and practical insights from various stakeholder perspectives on how Internet governance can respond to this emerging challenge.

## Format

Roundtable
**Duration (minutes):** 60
**Format description:** This session examines an emerging Internet governance issue where there is no single policy solution. A roundtable format is best suited because it encourages equal participation and dialogue among governments, industry, civil society, academia, the technical community and youth representatives. The discussion will begin with a realistic scenario illustrating how a young person develops a close relationship with an AI companion, providing a common starting point for participants to examine governance challenges from different stakeholders perspectives. Rather than debating whether emotional AI is inherently beneficial or harmful, participants will explore governance questions related to duty of care, transparency, accountability and the protection of young people. Sixty minutes provides sufficient time to introduce the issue, facilitate interactive discussion between onsite and online participants, and synthesise areas of agreement, differing viewpoints and emerging priorities that can inform future Internet governance and AI policy discussions.

## Hybrid Format

**Hybrid Format:** The session will be designed to ensure equal participation for onsite and online attendees. An online moderator from WIG  will facilitate virtual participation, monitor questions and ensure that online contributions are integrated throughout the discussion rather than reserved for the end. The workshop will begin with a short scenario illustrating a young person's relationship with an AI companion, providing a common point of reference for all participants. Guided by the moderator, onsite and online participants will respond to the same governance questions from their respective stakeholder perspectives. Live polling will be used to identify areas of consensus and divergence on issues such as duty of care, transparency and protections for young people, with results displayed in real time to stimulate discussion. A shared collaborative document will capture key governance insights and emerging priorities from both onsite and online participants, ensuring an inclusive and interactive hybrid experience.

## Organizers

**Organizer 1:** Gloria Frimpomaah Amofah-Adjekum , Women in Internet Governance/ Makatob IT IT
**Organizer 2:** Betty Fausta, 🔒YONN
**Organizer 3:** Phenny Awuor Apollo, Ghana School of Internet Governance

## Speakers

**Speaker 1:** Tinuade Oguntuyi, Civil Society, African Group
**Speaker 2:** Ines Hfaiedh, Civil Society, African Group
**Speaker 3:** Godsway Kubi, Civil Society, African Group
**Speaker 4:** Mary Rose Ofianga, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
**Speaker 5:** Emilia Dohrmann, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
**Speaker 6:** Andrew Findell-Aghnatios, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

## Moderator

Gloria Frimpomaah Amofah-Adjekum , Civil Society, African Group

## Online Moderator

Betty Fausta, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

## Rapporteur

Phenny Awuor Apollo, Technical Community, African Group

## Participant Benefits

What will participants gain from attending this session?

## SDGs

3. Good Health and Well-Being
3.4
4. Quality Education
4.7
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.5
9.c
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
16.6
16.7
17. Partnerships for the Goals
17.16
17.17