In 2024 it is not surprising that we are all talking about how technology helps us to reimagine the world we live in. Although AI remains a prominent discussion topic, let’s also consider the advancements in the extended reality space, particularly virtual reality (VR). We are not only referring to the fun gaming experience it offers; let’s also explore the value it can bring to learning, training and redefining workplace interaction.
With numerous companies releasing new VR devices and a rapidly expanding adoption across various industries, VR business applications are soon predicted to exceed individual consumer usage, driven by their increased efficiency. Already, we can see how this technology is closing the gap in business virtual meetings, remote collaboration and education and training. Various industries like apparel, beauty and healthcare, to name only a few, use VR to enhance the once fully offline world experiences. In fact, forecasts suggest that VR could contribute $450.5 billion to worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, impacting over 23 million jobs globally, which makes it an important tech to watch this year.
VR in Education and Training
VR technology has definitely caught the attention of the education sector, although for many it remains in its early adoption stages. Numerous studies have found that incorporating VR into classroom delivery generally enhances the educational outcomes of students. This is particularly intriguing as VR combines the scalability of online learning with personalised coaching and feedback, offering learners the best of both worlds.
So what does this mean for those looking to grow their skillset? While we are familiar with VR’s practical applications in simulating machine operations (e.g. flight simulators) and medical training (e.g. surgery simulation), the more technology develops the greater will be its wider applications for the future of work skills. Reports show that, combined with the rapid advancement of generative AI, employers are yet again emphasising soft-skills development, making them a key focus in upskilling and training strategies across many companies.
ESCP’s Workshop with Bodyswaps
Recently, ESCP Business School London Campus provided our MSc in Digital Transformation Management & Leadership students with a workshop delivered by Bodyswaps, a UK and US-based company specialising in teaching soft skills through VR and AI technologies, showcasing the impact of VR on soft-skills development. During this immersive experience, students used VR headsets provided by Meta to engage in a variety of exercises around public speaking, including answering typical interview questions and delivering presentations.
Bodyswaps software used VR technology to evaluate students’ body language and eye contact, while also providing detailed AI feedback on the spoken content, including pauses and filler words. Additionally, students were offered the opportunity to observe themselves, or rather their avatar, from the audience perspective for additional self-feedback.
Janie Gonsalez, an experienced instructor at Bodyswaps who delivered this workshop, says:
‘The integration of AI into immersive learning experiences presents a distinctive opportunity to seamlessly connect theoretical concepts with practical applications. Within a psychologically safe and realistic simulation, learners can develop essential soft skills independently, helping them prepare for real-world job interviews, public speaking or difficult conversations, and many other core, human skills.
One of the biggest trends we’re seeing in the current landscape is the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. In our learning framework, AI has always played a pivotal role, and the integration of generative AI in our Job Interview Simulator elevates personalisation and feedback on learning performance to new levels.’
She also mentioned that the company intends to further integrate generative AI into all modules to ensure dynamic questions and responses throughout all training.
Loris Friedli, an MSc in Digital Transformation Management & Leadership student who experienced the technology first-hand during the workshop, says:
‘Training my soft skills, particularly in public speaking, using Bodyswaps and VR/AI technology has been a new and interesting experience for me. Although there is a bit of a learning curve, the simulation excels at guiding you through the process and providing a secure environment to practise public speaking across various scenarios in front of multiple virtual “people,” all while offering real-time feedback. It was a fun and useful experience, and I can see how VR & AI technology can benefit educational settings due to its customisable applications and scalable nature.’
Loris’s experience exemplifies the value that technologies can add to learning by offering personalised improvement suggestions and an individualised environment for unlimited practice, empowering individuals like him to work on enhancing skills at their own pace.
In fact, when we approached the ESCP Careers team for their thoughts about using technology in career development, they provided positive feedback on how the combination of VR and AI could be the next significant advancement in facilitating their career-coaching efforts.
‘From a Careers perspective, although still in its nascent stages, the use of this technology can help simulate a stressful environment, like that of a job interview, and prepare students to feel, see and understand the myriad of emotions they would go through in such situations, helping them better manage their jitters in a situation like this. Through AI, we can also provide personalised feedback based on an analysis of verbal and non-verbal cues, helping students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.’ says Rohan Malhotra, Senior Careers and Corporate Relations Manager at ESCP London Campus.
‘While the human touch in career coaching/development is invaluable, the incorporation of technology supplements our efforts by providing data-driven insights, and, most importantly, doing it while saving time. If used correctly, VR and AI can help us reach a broader audience in a shorter span of time and allows for continuous improvement and adaptation, keeping our coaching methods current in the ever-evolving professional landscape.’
The team also plans to extend the AI feedback aspect of Bodyswaps’ technology (accessible on mobile and desktop in both English and French) to all London-based students seeking to enhance their skills in public speaking, presentation skills, communication, negotiating, job-interview preparation, addressing complex questions, and other related areas.
All in all, in 2024, VR is the transformative force in education and career development to watch. Coupled with AI integration, VR promises scalable and data-driven learning, offering students valuable insights and preparation for real-world scenarios, and we look forward to gradually embracing this technology and offering new, personalised student experiences within our ESCP community.