Those who have been on my training courses will know my opinion on the use of talking head avatar videos for training, but for the rest of you I wanted to outline some of my concerns.
I appreciate that in today’s fast-paced digital environment, businesses and educators are constantly searching for innovative and cost-effective ways to deliver training. Among these innovations, talking avatars have emerged as a popular tool but while these virtual characters may seem like an appealing solution, many learners and educators have found them to be less effective than anticipated. In fact, these soulless presenters can be a complete turn off, lacking engagement and authenticity and making the learning process downright boring.
Even if advancements in AI video generation succeed in making avatars indistinguishably human do we really want to be educated by a talking head? Where is the story-telling? Where is the drama? Where are the dynamic hooks, the human connection and the memorable moments that will stick in learners minds and facilitate change.
Let’s take a deeper look at the reasons why I believe these video are so ineffective, and if you disagree let’s start a healthy debate.
1. Lack of Human Connection and Emotional Engagement
One of the most powerful aspects of any learning experience is the emotional connection between the teacher and the learner. Humans are wired to pick up on subtle cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. These cues help us interpret and internalize the information being presented. However, many avatars lack the ability to deliver these nuanced expressions convincingly. Even when advanced facial recognition software is used, the lack of genuine human emotion can make it harder for learners to connect with the content. This disconnect can lead to lower engagement and a diminished sense of trust in the material being taught.
2. Monotonous and Unnatural
Avatars, especially those that rely on artificial voice synthesis, often sound robotic and lack the natural variation in speech that keeps a viewer’s attention. Their movements can also be stiff, repetitive, or exaggerated, which can feel unnatural or even off-putting. Over time, this robotic nature can result in viewer fatigue, where learners disengage simply because the avatar lacks the dynamism that human presenters offer. For learning to be truly effective, it needs to be engaging. When the delivery feels monotonous or artificial, learners are more likely to tune out, retaining less information in the process.
3. Increased Cognitive Load
Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process new information. Ideally, training content should be designed to minimize cognitive load so that learners can focus entirely on absorbing new knowledge or skills. However, when learners are distracted by the uncanny effect of an avatar — where something is almost, but not quite, human — it can increase cognitive load. Instead of concentrating on the training material, viewers may become preoccupied with the avatar’s unnatural movements or off-sync speech patterns, thus splitting their attention. This diminishes their ability to focus on the key lessons of the training.
4. Limited Conveyance of Expertise
In many training scenarios, the expertise and authority of the presenter are crucial for establishing trust and credibility. A human presenter who speaks with confidence and clarity can inspire trust and convey their expertise more effectively. Avatars, however, often lack this sense of authority. They may be perceived as less competent or reliable, which can impact how seriously the learner takes the training. Without a clear sense of who the avatar is or what they represent, learners may feel less motivated to engage fully with the content, impacting the overall learning outcome.
5. Lack of Engagement and Pace
When we watch professional video productions, tv programs or movies, the shot angles, sizes and movements change every few seconds to keep our interest, maintain interest and inject pace. Training videos need to be equally professional and engaging. If your talking head is on screen for more than a few seconds viewers will simply loose interest.
6. Where is the Drama?
The most effective training videos involve drama and story-telling. They are engaging, entertaining, absorbing, human and sometime emotional. They take the viewer on a journey that leads to a desire to change.
What is the alternative?
At Video Mastery we run video production training courses specifically for training providers to teach them all of the skills necessary to produce effective and creative training videos in-house. We cover everything from pre-production planning, creative brainstorming, scripting, storyboarding and casting to filming, lighting, design, sound recording, shot composition and editing. After receiving this training you will be able to produce highly-effective training videos in-house. Details of our courses can be found at VideoMastery.co.uk.
Ai has it place to improving the speed and efficiency of traditional video production methodology, but it cannot and should not be used as a substitute.
Conclusion
Despite these shortcomings, it’s important to note that avatars and other forms of artificial intelligence in training aren’t without their benefits. They can be highly effective for specific tasks, such as very short interactive tutorials and basic information dissemination. However, for training that requires engagement, emotional resonance, or nuanced communication, the human element remains crucial.
As technology continues to evolve, there’s hope that future iterations of talking avatars may overcome some of these limitations. Advances in AI, machine learning, and facial recognition technologies could eventually create avatars that feel more lifelike, capable of dynamic interaction, and better suited to a range of learning environments. Until then, it’s essential for educators, trainers, and businesses to weigh the pros and cons of using avatars in training videos and consider where human presenters, actors and creative storylines may provide a more effective learning experience.
By understanding these challenges, organisations can make better decisions when designing training programs, ensuring that they keep the learner’s needs at the forefront while embracing technology where it adds the most value.
Find out more about Video Mastery training courses at VideoMastery.co.uk
Peter Middleton, Director of Learning, Video Mastery
