Original text published on https://wp.unil.ch/hecoutreach/ai-as-a-tool-for-human-skill-development/
The article shows how artificial intelligence is becoming an innovative tool for developing fundamental human skills such as empathy, communication, and leadership. Through virtual reality and behavioral analysis, AI makes it possible to assess and train these skills on a large scale, in realistic and stressful situations. Paradoxically, technology thus helps to strengthen what makes us deeply human.
In the age of artificial intelligence, human skills such as empathy, collaboration, leadership, and communication are becoming more essential than ever. In a professional world marked by uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change (VUCA), these so-called “soft skills” are taking on strategic value. According to the OECD Learning Framework 2030, they have become indispensable for meeting future challenges. Today, these skills are now regarded as the “new hard skills.” Companies must therefore not only integrate them more into their recruitment processes but also invest in developing them within their teams.
The best way to assess interpersonal skills is to place individuals in complex social situations. For example, a candidate may be asked to announce a dismissal or to motivate a struggling team, while a panel observes their reactions and behavior. These “work samples” are highly effective in predicting future performance, but they remain costly and difficult to organize, as they require actors, time, and specialized observers.
This is where new technologies and artificial intelligence come into play. Thanks to virtual reality, it is now possible to simulate these situations with virtual colleagues. The candidate can, for instance, confront an aggressive employee or speak in front of a virtual audience. The interaction is recorded and then analyzed by algorithms capable of extracting verbal and non-verbal behavior. These data are then linked to real performance indicators. With enough data, AI can learn to recognize key behaviors and predict the performance of new candidates. This method allows for fast, large-scale assessment. However, it also has limitations, notably the need for large databases and the difficulty of objectively evaluating performance, especially for leadership positions.
Interpersonal skills can also be developed through training. Companies already invest heavily in training their managers, particularly in communication and leadership. Traditionally, this training is based on observing exemplary role models and practicing with feedback. For example, analyzing a speech by Barack Obama to train in public speaking. New technologies enhance these methods by immersing learners in virtual environments where they can practice in front of a virtual audience while experiencing a level of stress comparable to a real situation.
Training can be further intensified by adding additional stress factors. The article gives the example of a speaker practicing on a plank suspended over a precipice, combining fear of heights with fear of public speaking. Once both fears are mastered, the real-life situation becomes much easier to handle. AI can also automatically analyze the participant’s behavior and provide immediate feedback. For instance, if the speaker avoids looking at the audience, the virtual audience may fall asleep, clearly signaling a lack of engagement.
Thus, far from replacing humans, artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities for developing the skills that make human beings unique. By combining virtual reality, behavioral analysis, and machine learning, AI is becoming a true tool for emotional and relational training. The paradox is striking: a technology often seen as dehumanizing actually helps to strengthen empathy, communication, and leadership. In this sense, technology can truly help us become more human.
Marianne Schmid Mast is Professor of Organizational Behavior and Dean of HEC Lausanne. Her research, which notably uses virtual reality, focuses on interpersonal communication, leadership, and hierarchical dynamics.
Faculty of Business and Economics
