Startups and Big Tech Companies Leverage AI for Soft Skills Training
CodeSignal Launches Soft Skill Courses with AI Assistants
Startups and big tech companies have aggressively used AI to help developers write code or learn programming better. People have used chatbots to prepare for different scenarios in life, like interviews. Tech assessment platform CodeSignal, which introduced a learning platform for technical subjects with AI assistants last year, launched soft skill courses on its platform today to practice different professional skills and work-life scenarios.
Unlocking Soft Skills with AI
The company thinks that historically, only the top brass of different organizations could afford to hire an expensive executive coach to skill up in areas of leadership and communication. Using different AI models, CodeSignal has created a practice and learning stack to make the skills and knowledge of a coach available to the masses.
Tigran Solyan, CEO of CodeSignal, said that companies hire non-technical people in large numbers. So, it saw an opportunity to train those folks in different areas of their professional life.
AI-Powered Soft Skill Courses
CodeSignal has launched more than 100 courses on its platform, with topics covering areas like effectively running one-on-one meetings, strategic leadership assessment, behavioral profile assessment, sales skills assessment, and improving public speaking. Users can select any of these courses or ask the AI assistant to find them and start practicing different scenarios based on the description. You can use voice to talk to the AI character in the simulation. The company has developed its own voice stack for this instead of using an off-the-shelf solution like ElevenLabs’ conversational agent platform as it thought developing the solution in-house will save costs long-term.
Feedback and Progress Tracking
Each time you ask for the help of the assistant to give you feedback, you lose an energy bar from an energy meter. Free users — which represent 90% of the chunk — get only a limited energy bar per day. Users can unlock unlimited chat with the AI assistant by paying a fee of $24.99. When people complete practices and courses successfully, they progress to different levels of competency in that skill that is marked by developing, intermediate, advanced, and expert markers.
Enterprise Plans and Customization
CodeSignal also has enterprise plans where it designs courses specific to a company using its knowledge base and cultural values. Solyan said that in customized courses, companies can also opt for the AI character to have different personalities to help professionals practice different real-life situations.
Cultural Sensitivity and Limitations
However, there is a question of baking in cultural sensitivity based on location and company culture. If that’s not baked into the courses, they could create an unpleasant experience for employees. Sumit Singla, an India-based HR consultant, said that AI might suggest being assertive in some cases, but in certain locations, that could be frowned upon.
Conclusion
CodeSignal’s AI-powered soft skill courses aim to make professional development more accessible and affordable for everyone. While AI can be a useful tool for practicing soft skills, it’s essential to consider cultural sensitivity and limitations when designing these courses. As the company continues to iterate and improve its platform, it will be interesting to see how it addresses these challenges and provides a more personalized and effective learning experience for its users.
FAQs
Q: What are the topics covered in CodeSignal’s soft skill courses?
A: The courses cover topics like effectively running one-on-one meetings, strategic leadership assessment, behavioral profile assessment, sales skills assessment, and improving public speaking.
Q: How do users interact with the AI assistant?
A: Users can use voice to talk to the AI character in the simulation. The company has developed its own voice stack for this instead of using an off-the-shelf solution.
Q: What is the cost of using CodeSignal’s AI assistant?
A: Free users get only a limited energy bar per day. Users can unlock unlimited chat with the AI assistant by paying a fee of $24.99.
Q: Can companies customize CodeSignal’s courses for their employees?
A: Yes, CodeSignal has enterprise plans where it designs courses specific to a company using its knowledge base and cultural values.
