At the e-REAL labs, jointly with the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation in Boston, we are revolutionizing professional coaching and training by introducing intelligent avatars, powered by generative artificial intelligence. These avatars, or digital humans, serve as embodied conversational agents (ECAs) that simulate real-world scenarios with precision and adaptability. Designed to facilitate immersive coaching experiences, these ECAs provide a safe, interactive environment for professionals to refine critical skills such as conflict de-escalation, fostering DEI, and navigating difficult conversations.
Our collaboration with the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation allows us to focus on real-world activities and cases that address pressing challenges in healthcare. Leveraging their expertise in simulation-based education, we have developed scenarios that enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to navigate complex interpersonal interactions, including managing conflicts with patients or colleagues, addressing unconscious biases, and leading difficult conversations in high-pressure environments.
Our AI-driven avatars are dynamic models of human communication, equipped with the ability to understand and respond to the complexities of interpersonal dynamics. Unlike pre-programmed tools, they deliver real-time, context-aware feedback based on conversational, emotional, and behavioral cues. This transformative technology transcends traditional coaching methods, offering a personalized and interactive learning experience tailored to each participant’s unique needs.
Through realistic simulations, these digital humans guide learners in practicing high-stakes interactions, such as addressing unconscious bias, resolving workplace conflicts, or delivering constructive feedback. Moreover, they engage users in meta-conversations about their communication strategies, enabling a deeper understanding of how their actions influence outcomes.
This innovative approach redefines delivering, analyzing, and applying coaching and feedback. By bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, our intelligent avatars serve as dynamic learning partners, fostering an environment of continuous professional growth. These AI-powered solutions are not merely technological tools; they represent a paradigm shift toward more inclusive, adaptive, and effective training practices. Through our collaboration with the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation, we are transforming how professionals in healthcare and other sectors develop the skills necessary to thrive in today’s complex environments.
Main Presenter:
Fernando Salvetti, PhD, is a globally recognized strategist, educator, and innovator in immersive learning, artificial intelligence, and extended reality (XR). As the founder and managing partner of Logosnet and e-REAL Labs (Turin, Lugano, Houston and New York), Dr. Salvetti has spent over two decades designing and implementing transformative training solutions for organizations across sectors, including education, healthcare, corporate development, and international institutions.
Dr. Salvetti’s interdisciplinary expertise spans epistemology, anthropology, and jurisprudence, enabling him to address complex challenges through innovative approaches that integrate technology and human-centric design. A pioneer in the application of generative AI and immersive technologies, he has developed cutting-edge tools such as AI-driven avatars and XR platforms to foster critical thinking, decision-making, and cross-cultural competence.
An accomplished author and speaker, Dr. Salvetti frequently contributes to international conferences, sharing insights on leadership, digital transformation, and the future of learning. His commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice has made him a leader in shaping the evolution of professional training and organizational development worldwide. Editor of several books and author of many scientific articles, among his latest engagements as a speaker there are the 8th annual Tristate Simulation Symposium at Mount Sinai West (New York 2024), TLIC2024, IMSH2024, SESAM2024, ASPiH 2024, the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation in Boston, the Global Thinkers Forum in London, the Italian Air Force Meeting on Leadership, etc.
Co-Presenters:
Barbara Bertagni, PhD, is a psychologist, philosopher, and corporate educator with extensive experience in designing and delivering innovative training programs for professionals across industries. A co-founder of Logosnet and the e-REAL Labs (Turin, Lugano, Houston, New York), she specializes in leveraging immersive technologies, including AI-driven avatars and extended reality (XR), to create impactful learning experiences that foster critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cross-cultural competence.
Dr. Bertagni has collaborated with global organizations, universities, and institutions, applying her interdisciplinary expertise to areas such as healthcare training, leadership development, and sustainability education. Her work combines academic rigor with practical application, enabling individuals and teams to thrive in complex, dynamic environments.
With a strong academic foundation in epistemology and anthropology, Dr. Bertagni is also an accomplished author and speaker, contributing to international conferences and publications on topics including human behavior, immersive learning, and AI in education. Her commitment to innovation and excellence continues to shape the future of professional training and development.
Roxane Gardner, MD, MPH, DSc, is a highly accomplished physician, educator, and leader in the field of medical simulation and healthcare training. She serves as the Executive Director at the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) in Boston, where she is instrumental in advancing the use of simulation-based education to improve patient safety, team performance, and clinical outcomes.
With a multidisciplinary background in medicine, public health, and healthcare systems design, Dr. Gardner has developed and implemented cutting-edge training programs that combine real-world scenarios with immersive learning techniques. Her expertise extends to interprofessional education, leadership development, and the application of generative artificial intelligence to enhance medical training.
Dr. Gardner is a sought-after speaker and consultant, contributing to global initiatives aimed at reducing medical errors and fostering a culture of continuous learning in healthcare. Her passion for innovation and her commitment to improving the quality of care make her a pioneer and visionary in the field of medical education.
Jenny Rudolph, PhD, is a renowned educator, researcher, and innovator in the field of simulation-based healthcare training. As the Senior Director for Innovation at the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) in Boston, she has led transformative efforts to enhance clinical education and team performance using cutting-edge simulation technologies and evidence-based methodologies.
Dr. Rudolph’s expertise lies in the intersection of healthcare, communication, and behavioral science, focusing on debriefing, reflective practice, and psychological safety in training environments. Her pioneering work in simulation has advanced the development of curricula that improve patient care, foster collaboration, and reduce errors in high-stakes medical settings.
An influential thought leader, Dr. Rudolph is a sought-after speaker and contributor to global conferences and publications on medical education, leadership development, and the integration of artificial intelligence in training. Her commitment to fostering learning environments that promote trust, curiosity, and innovation continues to shape the future of healthcare education worldwide.