[Event] Feeling Automated: Ethical Development of Emotional & Interactive AI Systems

Report Launch & Panel Discussion | February 10, 2026

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we communicate, relate, and seek emotional support. As AI systems increasingly simulate empathy and human-like interaction, urgent questions arise about ethics, safety, and governance.

We at The Pranava Institute invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, youth, and the wider public to join the launch of our latest report, “Feeling Automated: Ethical Development of Emotional & Interactive AI Systems”, followed by a global panel discussion exploring the future of Social AI.

Event Details

📅 February 10, 2026

🕝 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (IST)

💻 Online Event

🔗 Register here: https://luma.com/ag5n0m71

This session marks the official release of the report authored by Sriya Sridhar, Research Fellow at The Pranava Institute. 

Why This Conversation Matters Now

AI systems are increasingly designed to engage users emotionally, offering companionship, guidance, or empathetic responses. These systems, referred to as Social AI, include AI companions, conversational agents, and general-purpose AI tools used in emotional or affective contexts.

As Social AI adoption accelerates globally, evidence of risks and harms is also growing - including emotional dependency, mental health concerns, and the potential for deceptive or overly anthropomorphic design. These developments highlight the need for thoughtful policy frameworks and responsible design practices that prioritise user safety and autonomy.

They raise a number of questions. 

How can Social AI systems and emulated empathy create positive outcomes? Can emulated empathy be ethical, or is it fundamentally deceptive? Is it desirable to frame such systems as being able to substitute mental health workers and human experts? We also aim to explore larger questions around the desirability of these systems and interrogate our changing relationship with machines.

About the Report

The Feeling Automated report explores how Social AI systems can be developed responsibly while mitigating emerging risks. The research is grounded in:

• An extensive literature review across technology, law, and social sciences,

• Multi-stakeholder consultations with experts and practitioners,

• Testing and evaluation of existing Social AI systems,

• Interdisciplinary analysis informing actionable policy recommendations.

  
  

​This project explores the legal and societal dimensions of these systems, and explores (i) the risks and harms of these technologies, (ii) the need for  policy action, and (iii) the shape that regulation can take. 

Following the report launch, the event will feature a panel discussion with leading international experts whose work spans education, technology law, psychology, and AI research:

• Dr. Nomisha Kurian, Assistant Professor, Department of Education Studies, University of Warwick

• Professor Jeannie Paterson, Professor of Consumer Protection and Technology Law and Co-founding Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics (CAIDE), University of Melbourne

• Ms. Banita Singh, Psychologist and Founder, Your Human Side with Banita

• Dr. Renwen Zhang, Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University

  
  

The discussion will reflect on the latest developments in Social AI, emerging regulatory responses, and critical questions about how emotional AI systems should be designed and governed in the years ahead.

Join Us!

As emotionally interactive AI systems become more prevalent, conversations around ethics, regulation, and human impact are more important than ever. We are delighted to have this opportunity to engage with these questions alongside global experts and contribute to shaping the future of Social AI.

We look forward to welcoming you to this timely and important conversation.