Scientists built an AI robot that pretends to be an angry parent so that teachers can practise handling difficult conversations

Teachers can face difficult conversations with parents. Researchers at La Trobe University in Australia are trying to change that with an AI-powered talking robot called Fletch. The robot can take on the role of a disgruntled parent, allowing trainee teachers to practise responding to complaints, arguments and other difficult conversations in a controlled setting. According to an online report, Fletch can also change its responses based on what the teacher says, making each conversation feel less like a fixed script and more like a real interaction.