Before we start
We are a team from the London School of Economics. We are looking at how the Youth Job Guarantee scheme is going.
We have made an AI tool that talks to you and asks you some questions. It asks about things like what you are good at, what you have done, and what kind of work you want. Then it writes a short story about you — together with you.
What you tell us in this conversation will only be used for research by our team at LSE. We will never share it with DWP or the Job Centre.
You do not have to do this. It is up to you. If you say no, nothing changes. You still stay on the scheme. You still get your benefits. Nothing bad happens.
If you start and want to stop, that is fine too. You can stop at any time. You can skip any question. You can also ask us to delete all your data. You do not have to say why.
We will keep what you tell us safe. We will not use your name in anything we write. Only the research team will see your answers. The only time we would share what you tell us is if we think you or someone else might be in danger.
An ethics team at the LSE has checked that this research project is safe and fair.
If you are happy to take part, please let us know.
Got questions? Email us at altruisticcapitallab@gmail.com or see more detail below.
Want to know more? Read the full details below.
1. What is this research project about?
This research project is exploring new ways of supporting young people into meaningful employment. We are interested in how young people describe their own experiences, skills, and goals, and whether different types of support during the Youth Job Guarantee scheme led to better outcomes.
2. Who is running it?
The Altruistic Capital Lab from the London School of Economics.
3. Why have I been invited?
You are being invited because you are one of the first young people to go through the Youth Job Guarantee scheme. Your experiences and views will help us understand how the programme is working and how it can be improved for others in the future.
4. Do I have to take part?
No. Taking part is entirely your choice. This research project is separate from the Youth Job Guarantee scheme, and your decision will not affect your place on the programme, your benefits, or any support you receive — in any way, and at any time.
If you decide to take part and later change your mind, that is completely fine. You can stop at any time without giving a reason and without any consequences.
5. What will happen if I take part?
You will be invited to have a conversation with an AI tool that will ask you some questions about your experiences, what you have learned about yourself, and what you are looking for. There are no right or wrong answers — we are simply interested in your story.
Based on your answers, the tool will put together a short personal narrative that reflects who you are and what you have to offer. You will be shown this narrative. The whole process should take around 15–20 minutes and will take place online.
6. Are there any risks?
We do not anticipate any significant risks from taking part. However, some of the questions ask about your experiences during a period of unemployment, and we recognise that reflecting on this time may bring up difficult feelings for some people. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you are free to skip a question or stop altogether.
If you would like to speak to someone after taking part:
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- Mind: 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm)
- Shout (text): Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7)
7. What are the benefits?
Many people find it useful to have the space to reflect on what they have been through and what they have learned about themselves. The narrative the tool creates may give you a clearer sense of your own strengths and goals. You will also be contributing to research that could help improve support for other young people in similar situations.
8. How will my information be used?
Your answers and the narrative the tool creates will only be used for research purposes by the team at LSE, and will never be shared with DWP. Everything is stored securely, and nothing published will identify you personally.
If you would like to know more about your data rights, please contact us at altruisticcapitallab@gmail.com.
9. Generative AI
The tool you will be using is powered by Generative AI — a type of computer programme that can hold a conversation based on what you share with it. It reads your answers and uses them to generate a personal narrative in your own words.
Your responses will be processed by the AI system to create your narrative, but they will not be stored by the AI itself or used to train it. The research team will have access to your responses and the narrative produced, and these will be handled securely in line with our data protection commitments.
If you have any questions about how the AI tool works, please email us at altruisticcapitallab@gmail.com.
10. What are my rights?
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to ask us for a copy of the information we hold about you, to request that any inaccuracies are corrected, and to ask for your data to be deleted in certain circumstances. You also have the right to object to how your data is being used or to ask us to restrict its use while any concerns are resolved.
To exercise any of these rights, email altruisticcapitallab@gmail.com.
11. What happens if I change my mind?
You can withdraw from the research project at any time without giving a reason and without any consequences to your paid placement, benefits, or support. To withdraw, contact us at altruisticcapitallab@gmail.com and we will remove your data.
After the research project closes, it may not be possible to withdraw your data as it will have been anonymised and included in our analysis, meaning it can no longer be linked back to you individually.
12. A note on confidentiality
Everything you share during this research project will be kept confidential. However, there is one important exception: if something you tell us suggests that you or someone else may be at risk of harm, we may need to act on this to keep you or others safe.
13. Who has reviewed this research project?
This research project has been reviewed and approved by the LSE Research Ethics team. An independent panel has assessed the research project to make sure it meets ethical standards and that your rights and well-being are protected.
14. Questions or concerns?
Email us at altruisticcapitallab@gmail.com or the LSE Research Ethics team at Research.Ethics@lse.ac.uk.
This is an LSE research project using an AI tool to help build your personal narrative. You were invited because you are taking part in the Youth Job Guarantee programme. Your data will not be shared with DWP. The research project is run by the Altruistic Capital Lab at the London School of Economics. Taking part is entirely voluntary and you can stop at any time.