“A Surprisingly Helpful Tool”: Using AI Role-Play to Build Supervision Skills

This descriptive case study explored the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to role-play difficult conversations between a supervisor and employee. Seven graduate students in an asynchronous online course used locally-created prompts to perform three role-play scenarios, with students playing the supervisor and AI playing a challenging employee. AI provided performance feedback after each role-play. Analysis of the AI conversations, AI feedback, instructor notes, and student reflection papers revealed AI role-play as a realistic and effective training activity for difficult conversations. Students appreciated the independent practice, instant feedback, and immediately applying adjustments to the next scenario. They also demonstrated growth in communication techniques and felt more confident about handling real difficult conversations. Recommendations include introducing AI role-play as a training tool in different higher education contexts and pairing AI role-play with a human mentoring session to guide reflection.