AI-powered Interview Coach
- Tool:
Overview
This project is my personal exploration into AI-powered Avatar Agents and the different ways they can transform how we teach and learn. The focus is on creating interactive AI avatar companions that are designed for specific audiences and use cases. Instead of a faceless chatbot, these agents provide a humanized experience that makes learning and guidance feel dynamic, approachable, and conversational.
Lucy – The Instructional Design Interview Coach
Lucy is one of the first avatar agents I’m creating in this exploration. She functions as an interview coach for instructional designers, guiding candidates through realistic practice sessions. Lucy asks common ID interview questions, or tailored interview questions to a specific role. She listens for responses and provides feedback on strengths and areas to improve. She can adapt her flow depending on whether the candidate wants feedback after each question or prefers to receive it all at the end.
Her conversational style is intentionally warm, professional, and encouraging, striking a balance between coaching and roleplay. She models structured interview frameworks (such as STAR responses), prompts self-reflection, and helps candidates rehearse answers tied to real-world instructional design scenarios.
How She Works
Lucy is powered by a combination of:
- Generative AI (OpenAI GPT) to produce natural, context-aware dialogue.
- Soul Machines Digital DNA Studio to bring the avatar to life with facial expressions, gestures, and real-time interactivity.
- Custom conversation design layered with prompts, rules, and timing cues (e.g., silence handling, end-of-answer detection, and turn-taking).
These elements work together so Lucy doesn’t just talk to users; she interacts in a way that feels closer to a live practice partner.
Why This Matters
This project demonstrates how AI avatars can act as mentors, instructors, and collaborators. By blending conversational intelligence with human-like presence, they can step into different roles and customize the experience depending on the learner’s needs.
Potential Use Cases
The strength of AI-powered avatars lies in their adaptability. These agents open up new ways to practice, explore, and grow.
Here are a few additional use cases:
Interview Preparation
A career services center could deploy an avatar like Lucy to help job seekers rehearse interviews. Candidates practice answering common behavioral and role-specific questions, get instant feedback, and build confidence before meeting with real employers.
Mentorship on Demand
In professional associations or alumni networks, avatars can serve as first-line mentors. For example, a new instructional designer could interact with an avatar “mentor” to receive career guidance, portfolio tips, or advice on navigating common workplace challenges.
Practice Partners
In sales training, avatars can role-play customer conversations with different personalities (i.e., skeptical, enthusiastic, or hesitant buyers), allowing reps to practice persuasion and active listening in a safe, repeatable way.
Course Design Collaboration
Faculty or corporate trainers can brainstorm alongside an avatar “design partner” that helps map outcomes, refine learning activities, or suggest technology tools. Think of it as a virtual co-designer available on demand.
Onboarding & Training Guides
Companies can embed avatars into employee onboarding portals. A friendly avatar could walk new hires through benefits enrollment, compliance modules, or systems navigation, offering a more approachable alternative to static documentation.
Emotional Support & Motivation
In education and wellness programs, avatars can provide encouragement during stressful learning moments. For instance, a student struggling with math could receive positive reinforcement from a supportive avatar coach who celebrates progress and reminds them to keep going.
Try an Interview Session with Lucy!
You can access Lucy via this link, or by clicking the image below.
