16 June 2026

Good communication takes practice, but some conversations are too important to enter unprepared. That’s why you can now practise with an interactive AI avatar on the New Heroes platform.

This tool provides a safe environment in which you can develop your skills in 17 different types of conversation. These include feedback conversations, recruitment and selection interviews, constructive discussions and mediation sessions. The avatar (a virtual conversation partner) responds dynamically to what you say, allowing you to rehearse in realistic scenarios and immediately see the impact of your communication.

Who is it for?

The tool was developed primarily for managers, but it is also valuable for anyone who wants to develop or refresh their conversation skills independently and in private. It is an easy way to gain insight into your communication style, as well as your strengths and areas for development.

How does it work?

You can start with the basic principles of each conversation type, or work with your own case study. During the conversation, the avatar will guide you back to the chosen topic, helping you to stay focused.

Afterwards, you’ll receive tailored tips and be able to download a transcript so you can review the conversation and reflect on your approach. You can also use these insights as preparation for a communication training course.

Pilot

The tool is currently being piloted. Initial feedback from colleagues who have tested the avatar has been very positive: they were impressed by the realism of the interaction and its learning value. Have you tried the avatar yet? We’d love to hear about your experience at hrmopleidingen@bb.leidenuniv.nl.

English version expected

Good to know: the tool is currently only available in Dutch, but an English version is in development and is expected later this summer. In collaboration with the Privacy Office, the processing of personal data has been reviewed: your conversations are not stored and your data remains protected.

Curious?

You will find the avatar exercises on the New Heroes platform.

• Go to Catalogue;
• Select ‘Oefenen met avatar’ in the Filter menu;
• A collection of different speed learnings will appear;
• Click on the red ‘Apply’ button; the modules will appear in your overview and you can get started!