Why AI and XR will strengthen communication, empathy and leadership in 2026.
GUEST COLUMN | by Doug Stephen
PIEN DUIJVERMAN
For all the headlines about automation and disappearing jobs, something very different is happening inside classrooms and workplaces. As AI systems take on more routine tasks, the spotlight is shifting to the qualities that make people uniquely effective: listening, communicating clearly, reading a room, navigating conflict, and leading with empathy.
‘…the spotlight is shifting to the qualities that make people uniquely effective: listening, communicating clearly, reading a room, navigating conflict, and leading with empathy.’
In 2026, the most valuable skills in both business and academia will be the ones machines can’t authentically replicate. And ironically, it’s AI and extended reality (XR) that are helping us get better at them.
The New Urgency Behind Human Skills
Each year, more work becomes automated. That trend isn’t slowing down, which explains the rising anxiety around job displacement. But instead of shrinking the need for people, automation is magnifying the importance of interpersonal capability. Reports from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey (among others) all point to the same conclusion: the fastest-growing skills are communication, leadership, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
These abilities determine whether a student thrives in group projects, whether a new manager succeeds, and whether leaders can keep organizations aligned during rapid change. The challenge is that these skills are hard to teach through lectures or static online modules. You can’t “tell” someone how to handle a tense conversation — they have to practice it.
The Strength of Role-Play — and Why It Was Hard to Scale
Role-play has long been one of the most effective ways to build communication and leadership skills. It forces people to think on their feet, respond to nuance, and make decisions in real time. But traditional programs are difficult to maintain: they require trained facilitators, scenarios vary from session to session, learners often feel self-conscious, and — the biggest limitation — they simply don’t scale.
AI and XR change that completely.
AI Role-Play: Personalized, Realistic, and Judgment-Free
AI-driven scenario tools now give learners the chance to practice complex interpersonal situations in realistic, adaptive environments. These systems simulate personalities, emotions, and unpredictable reactions — offering the closest thing to a real interaction without needing another person.
Imagine a business student negotiating with an AI character who grows impatient if they talk in circles. Or a new supervisor preparing for a difficult conversation with an employee whose tone shifts based on how empathetic the manager sounds. Or a teacher-candidate practicing with a concerned parent who becomes more open as trust builds.
With AI, learners get:
Unlimited practice: Rehearse until they feel confident.
Objective coaching: Immediate insights into habits like interrupting or overly direct phrasing.
A safe environment: No pressure from peers or instructors.
Consistent quality: Every learner receives the same high-quality scenario.
XR Takes Immersion to the Next Level
If AI provides the intelligence, XR provides the emotional context. When learners step inside a virtual boardroom, emergency setting, clinic, or classroom, the experience feels significantly closer to reality. Body language, spatial cues, and environmental pressure all matter, and people retain what they learn.
Examples include:
Handling conflict inside a realistic virtual office
Practicing cultural sensitivity with diverse avatars
Running crisis-management drills
Presenting to a virtual audience that responds with engagement or skepticism
Studies consistently show that people learn interpersonal skills faster and retain them longer when immersed in environments that trigger genuine emotion.
Why Academia Is Leaning In
Schools and universities are under pressure to prepare students not just with knowledge but with workplace-ready skills. AI-driven role-play and XR offer powerful ways to strengthen:
Teacher-training programs
Nursing and healthcare communication labs
Business, HR, and leadership courses
Career-readiness programs
Social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives
Students gain experience that traditionally would take years to accumulate.
Why Companies Are Embracing It, Too
Inside organizations, most performance challenges stem from communication gaps — unclear expectations, poorly handled feedback, or conflict avoidance. Leaders often struggle not because they lack intelligence, but because they haven’t practiced difficult conversations.
AI-assisted role-play gives companies a scalable way to develop thousands of managers with the same rigor. It supports psychological safety, improves teamwork, and reduces costly misunderstandings. And in a hybrid workplace, where digital communication creates more friction, this kind of practice is becoming essential.
A Human-Centered Future, Powered by Technology
The irony of 2026 is that advanced technology is pushing us to focus more on the human side of work and learning. AI and XR aren’t replacing empathy, leadership, or communication. They’re giving people the space and tools to strengthen those skills in ways we’ve never had before.
If we use these tools wisely, the future won’t feel less human. It will feel more human than ever.
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Doug Stephen is the president of CGS Immersive and a leading expert in leveraging learning methodology and technology to solve critical business challenges. With over two decades of experience consulting with Fortune 1000 companies, he understands what it takes to drive significant improvements in employee engagement, operational performance, and revenue growth. At CGS Immersive, Doug leads the vision and execution of groundbreaking edtech platforms that are transforming the way companies work and learn. He is passionate about helping organizations unlock the full potential of their workforce through the power of immersive technology. Connect with Doug on LinkedIn.
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