The Future of Learning: AI-Activated Virtual Reality Headsets

I’ve seen the future, and it’s AI/VR headsets. It’s both exciting and a bit terrifying.

The Best Learning Experience

Over the 20 years I’ve run workshops I’ve realised that if you want people to learn then provide “heat experiences” that disrupt participants’ perspectives, followed by reflection and repetition to establish new habits. 

VR/AI might just be the holy grail for this.

Immersive Feedback with VR/AI

If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend it. When you put on the headset, you enter futuristic worlds—imagine cool offices with snowy mountains framed by Crittall windows.

In the “giving feedback” module, you first meet your “boss,” who explains that a direct report is underperforming and needs feedback on their abrupt communication style. Then you meet your direct report, Kurt (who can be any gender or ethnicity you choose.)

Despite running programmes on giving feedback, I felt nervous. Kurt got frustrated and snarky, blaming the team for his impatience and interruptions. Afterwards, the AI gives you scores on speaking/listening ratios, positivity and open questions, benchmarked against thousands of other users. 

I didn’t do very well.

I tried again, (oh the irony) focusing on being human. I became curious, asked questions and Kurt opened up, admitting he was struggling to relate to the team. Using a classic feedback model, the software recommends, we discussed trust, meeting behaviours and listening. Kurt seemed genuinely grateful. I suggested we go for a drink. He said no.

My scores improved, and I felt a rush of dopamine. However, I was marked down for not setting specific, measurable goals! The insights I gained, especially around presence, intention, and breathing, were surprising. 

The Growing VR/AI Industry

PWC research estimates that VR will become a $300 billion industry. The research suggests VR can reduce training costs by 50%, with 75% less training time and 400% higher participant focus. The UK is behind the curve, with early adopters in Germany including VW, BMW, Puma, and Adidas.

I do find VR/AI both fascinating and terrifying and think about the ethical issues, AI avatars do not “think” but provide answers and predictions based on algorithms and data models. However the needs of learners need to be put first and younger leaders, used to gaming, are already accustomed to the technology and often feel uncomfortable with “role plays.”  

Key Areas Where VR Will Be Invaluable

• DEI: Experience different genders, disabilities, ages, or ethnicities to gain insights into how others see the world.
• Presentation Skills: Use Augmented Reality (AR) to rehearse in an auditorium with a pretend audience, receiving feedback on body language, heartbeat, eye contact, and influencing.
• Leadership: Program headsets with your own cultural “hot topic” scenarios around your vision, values or motivating, selling or influencing.

Next Steps