If you need to present projects or conduct negotiations, strong communication skills are your key asset. To improve them, you no longer have to rehearse in front of a mirror, talk to an imaginary opponent, or hold dialogues with GPT chat. Now, you can use a VR simulator that helps enhance your communication abilities.
The integration of digital tools is rapidly transforming various industries, and creative agencies are no exception. They’re increasingly using advanced technology to meet client demands, pushing the boundaries of how communication and interaction take place.
For instance, Havas Digital Kyiv, in collaboration with CTRL/ART/D, recently developed a VR-based communication training simulator at the request of U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. This immersive platform is designed to help users practice and improve their interpersonal and business communication skills. By simulating real-life scenarios, it provides a controlled, interactive environment where users can engage with various communication strategies.
Technically compatible with Oculus Meta Quest 2 and 3, as well as Apple Vision Pro, the app allows users to put on a VR headset, summon one of two NPC avatars, choose a communication setting (a conference room or an office elevator), pick a conversation topic, and select the difficulty level. Currently, there are two avatars: one modeled after the app’s client, Secretary Becerra, and another fictional character named Ksenia.
During the development phase, the team created facial and body designs for the avatars. They then built detailed 3D models, added textures, and animated the avatars, giving them the ability to express emotions. This resulted in highly realistic virtual interlocutors. Additionally, customization options were incorporated, allowing users to modify the avatars according to their preferences.
Both avatars are equipped with AI-driven communication models, enabling them to generate real-time responses based on the user’s input. This technology creates a wide range of possible dialogue paths, ensuring that each conversation attempt feels unique. Overall, the team developed over 100 different communication scenarios.
The app features voice and motion tracking, along with a feedback function. AI plays a key role in creating the unpredictability of the conversation, allowing for organic interaction with the avatars. This setup provides users with a high-quality analysis of their communication effectiveness with the NPCs. In essence, the app not only enables practice across various communication scenarios but also tracks and displays the user’s progress in improving their conversational skills.
Like any great product, the simulator has proven to be a multitool, as its intelligent avatars can be integrated into a variety of services. Some obvious areas of application include:
– Customer service: AI avatars can serve as 24/7 support managers who are fluent in multiple languages. These AI specialists provide logical and accurate answers to common questions, reducing the likelihood of human error.
– Marketing and sales: They can act as lead generators (AI avatars interact with potential clients before handing them off to human sales representatives) or as product consultants.
– Employee training: The avatars can serve as “trainers” for developing communication skills within any team.
Additionally, leveraging AI can significantly boost a company’s image, presenting it as forward-thinking and modern. This provides competitive advantages in the market and helps optimize routine communications.
