Synthesia’s AI training platform is moving beyond videos into live coaching

Summary

Synthesia expanded its video-based training platform by launching a live coaching product called Roleplay Sessions; employees practice high-stakes conversations with AI avatars and are evaluated using rubrics.

Why it matters

This move demonstrates a shift in corporate AI from merely producing content to focusing on measuring and improving learning behavior. By combining AI avatar technology with performance data, it makes talent management more data-driven for companies.

Highlights

• Roleplay Sessions, which provide real-time dialogue and feedback with AI avatars, aim to develop soft skills such as sales and leadership.
• Synthesia's video technology is built on a chip-based infrastructure, but the decision-making intelligence comes from OpenAI; this positions the company as a performance management platform.
• Early customers include one of Europe's largest companies, a Fortune 100 incubator, and one of the world's leading recruitment firms.

Critical take

While Roleplay Sessions provide measurement through rubrics and data analytics, there remain questions about whether they can fully capture the complexity of real-world interactions.