HIT Researchers Develop AI Robot Simulation to Prep Employees for Promotions
Researchers at HIT Holon Institute of Technology have developed NAO@Work, an AI-powered humanoid robot simulation designed to help employees practice tough promotion and salary negotiations.
A new AI-driven simulation developed at HIT Holon Institute of Technology allows employees to practice high-stakes career conversations with a humanoid robot acting as a demanding manager. The system, named NAO@Work, aims to help workers prepare for promotion and salary negotiations without risking their current positions.
Simulating Tough Workplace Realities
According to the developers, Anastasia Shlumov and Anton Bliakher from the Faculty of Learning Technologies at HIT, under the guidance of Prof. Gila Kurtz and Dr. Dan Cohen-Vax, the platform utilizes a NAO humanoid robot combined with generative artificial intelligence to respond in real time. Preliminary research involving 50 participants revealed that 40% of employees have never formally negotiated a salary or promotion, and nearly half feel uncomfortable raising demands with management.
The training process is divided into three stages: initially, the robot assists the employee in formulating their request; subsequently, it switches roles to become a strict manager who challenges professional arguments; and finally, it provides personalized feedback. Participants rated the simulation with an average score of 4.4 out of 5 for its effectiveness in handling managerial objections.
Flipping the Script on Artificial Intelligence
Prof. Gila Kurtz explained the core philosophy behind the project, noting a departure from conventional AI applications. "Instead of using AI to get answers, we use it to pose difficult questions," she stated. "Employees can prepare for days, but once a manager raises an unexpected objection, their confidence can shatter. The goal is to turn handling these situations into a skill that can be practiced rather than learning the hard way with a real boss."
Participants reported tangible benefits from the exercise. One participant noted realizing that while they start strong, they quickly lose arguments and confidence, while another was surprised to find that their actual manager later asked questions remarkably similar to those posed by the robot during training.
