Udemy unveils AI Role Play for workplace skills training

Udemy has launched a new AI-powered simulation tool called Role Play, designed to support professionals in developing business and communication skills through immersive practice.

Role Play leverages artificial intelligence to provide learners with the opportunity to engage in instructor-designed conversation scenarios. The tool allows both organisations and individual instructors to create custom simulations tailored to specific workplace challenges, offering personalised and contextual learning at scale.

By combining expert-led content with adaptive coaching and personalisation tools at the enterprise level, Role Play creates realistic environments where professionals can practice and improve skills such as conflict resolution, feedback delivery, and effective communication.

According to Udemy, this approach contrasts with traditional publisher models that require lengthy production cycles. Udemy's marketplace structure enables continuous content updates in real time. In the four weeks since Role Play's introduction, creators have published more than 3,100 Role Plays, highlighting the pace at which content can be developed under this system.

The release of Role Play follows the launch of Udemy's Innovation Studio, an initiative focused on exploring new ways to design and deliver educational experiences. Role Play represents one of the Studio's first major outcomes and indicates a shift towards more interactive and skill-based learning, where participants can actively practise scenarios rather than only engaging with static content.

"At Udemy, we understand that the most effective way to master soft skills is through practice and feedback. Role Play is a great example of the power of bringing together human expertise (through Udemy creators) and AI. Role Play will transform how essential skills are taught and learned, providing an immersive experience that prepares learners for real-world challenges and drives measurable business impact," said Eren Bali, Chief Technology Officer and founder at Udemy.

Professionals using Udemy's new tool can simulate a wide variety of workplace conversations, including pitching ideas, negotiating agreements, resolving conflicts, giving and receiving feedback, coaching peers, setting goals, delegating tasks, managing projects, and preparing for job interviews. The platform also provides immediate feedback to users, which the company believes will help accelerate development and contribute to career and organisational success.

Role Play is positioned to support organisations aiming to address skills gaps by enabling teams to build scenarios that reflect real-life work situations. Employees can safely practise communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills in a controlled environment, fostering stronger collaboration within teams. Udemy points to recent research indicating that human skills such as critical thinking and adaptability are vital for both individual achievement and the successful integration of new technologies like AI.

The tool is also targeted at individual professionals who are looking to advance their careers. Udemy's internal analysis suggests 83% of senior leaders see effective leadership as necessary for skills-based transformation, but only 28% of employees feel their leaders are communicating these strategic changes effectively. The company claims that practising in a risk-free, AI-coached environment can help bridge this confidence and communication gap for learners at all levels.

Additionally, instructors and course creators are able to incorporate hands-on, interactive elements into their courses more easily using Role Play. Built to be flexible, the tool enables the straightforward addition of AI-powered simulations to course content, enhancing learner engagement and outcomes. In partnership with AI firm ElevenLabs, instructors can customise the voices of AI characters, choosing from six distinct options that vary in tone and accent, helping to create more authentic conversational experiences.

"I've created three Role Play exercises already, and I have to say – this borders on magic! Learners are now able to practice what they learn through real-time conversations, receiving immediate feedback that reinforces the core concepts within my courses. This offers a whole new level of engagement, and learners can apply what they've learned immediately in their workplaces," Frank Kane, a top-rated Udemy technology instructor, commented on the new feature.

Udemy has indicated it will continue developing and releasing new technologies through the Innovation Studio, with a focus on integrating AI and human learning methods for workforce reskilling at scale.