Carnegie Mellon University

Practice Your Communication Skills with AI: Interviews, Public Speaking, and Conversations

When you sign up for an in-person lab demo (HBH A-104) or if you want to borrow a headset, you will get an invite code from Ovation. With the code, create an Ovation account using your CMU email and an easy-to-remember password. You'll need to type your login information while wearing a headset, so keep it simple. 

Why VR+ Public Speaking? https://www.ovationvr.com

The fusion of virtual reality and public speaking represents a groundbreaking advancement. Now, individuals can confront their speaking anxieties by repeated exposure to virtual simulations of the real-world scenarios they dread. And as their fears are reprogrammed, their skills are also honed, transforming them into impactful speakers ready to command any stage.

WATCH these brief videos to learn "how to" use Ovation (click here)

Ovation VR, enhanced with generative AI, offers a sophisticated platform for practicing communication skills (e.g., interviews, presentations, conversations). Below is a detailed explanation of how this app can be used:

PRACTICE INTERVIEWING

  1. Simulated Interview Scenarios:

    • Realistic Environments: Users can practice in virtual settings that resemble real interview environments, such as corporate offices or conference rooms.
    • Role-Specific Scenarios: Generative AI can create interview scenarios tailored to specific job roles, industries, and levels of experience.
  2. Dynamic Interviewers:

    • Adaptive Questioning: AI-powered interviewers can ask a wide range of questions, from general behavioral questions to technical queries specific to the job role. The AI can adapt the difficulty and nature of questions based on the user’s responses.
    • Real-Time Interaction: The virtual interviewers can exhibit realistic behaviors and reactions, such as showing interest, taking notes, or expressing skepticism, providing users with a more lifelike interview experience.
  3. Personalized Feedback:

    • Performance Metrics: The AI analyzes various aspects of the user’s performance, such as body language, tone of voice, and the clarity of responses.
    • Detailed Reports: After the interview, users receive comprehensive feedback highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement, along with suggestions for enhancing their answers and demeanor.
  4. Mock Interviews:

    • Repetition and Refinement: Users can practice multiple mock interviews with different sets of questions and interviewers, allowing them to refine their responses and become more confident.

PRACTICE PUBLIC SPEAKING

  1. Diverse Speaking Environments:

    • Customizable Settings: Users can choose from a variety of speaking environments, including auditoriums, classrooms, boardrooms, and more.
    • Audience Customization: Generative AI allows users to customize the audience size, demographics, and behavior, simulating different levels of engagement and feedback.
  2. Interactive Audiences:

    • Real-Time Reactions: Virtual audiences can react in real-time to the user’s speech, displaying behaviors like clapping, nodding, asking questions, or appearing distracted.
    • Varied Feedback: The AI can generate diverse audience reactions based on the content and delivery of the speech, providing users with a realistic public speaking experience.
  3. Speech Content Assistance:

    • Content Generation: Generative AI can assist users in crafting their speech content by suggesting structure, language, and key points to include.
    • On-the-Fly Adjustments: During practice sessions, the AI can provide real-time suggestions for improving the speech, such as altering the pace, emphasizing certain points, or improving transitions.
  4. Comprehensive Analytics:

    • Detailed Analysis: The AI analyzes various aspects of the speech, including eye contact, gesture use, vocal variety, and overall delivery.
    • Progress Tracking: Users receive detailed reports on their performance, enabling them to track their progress over time and identify areas for continuous improvement.
  5. Virtual Coaching:

    • Personalized Training Plans: The AI can create tailored training plans based on the user’s goals and performance, offering specific exercises and practice sessions.
    • Encouragement and Tips: A virtual coach provides ongoing support, offering motivational feedback, practical tips, and reminders to help users stay on track.

CONVERSATIONS TO IMPROVE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Challenge: Approaching someone at a job fair can be intimidating, especially when you're still building confidence in your English skills. Without regular practice, it can be hard to know how to introduce yourself, ask questions, or respond clearly to potential employers.

Solution: Ovation VR provides a virtual space where users can practice these crucial conversations in realistic scenarios. Whether it’s perfecting your introduction or navigating small talk, Ovation VR helps you rehearse in a safe, low-pressure environment. The program offers real-time feedback to help you improve both fluency and confidence.

BENEFITS OF PRACTICING WITH OVATION VR

  • Confidence Building: Regular practice in a virtual environment helps users build confidence, whether they are preparing for an interview or a public speaking engagement.
  • Skill Enhancement: The detailed feedback and personalized training plans ensure that users continuously improve their interviewing and public speaking skills.
  • Convenience: Users can practice anytime and anywhere, making it easier to fit training sessions into their schedules.
  • Realistic Experience: The integration of generative AI creates highly realistic and varied scenarios, preparing users for a wide range of real-life situations.

By simulating realistic scenarios, providing dynamic interactions, and offering detailed feedback, Ovation VR helps users develop and refine their public speaking skills, ultimately boosting their confidence and performance in real-world situations.