How Yoodli is Transforming Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

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As a communication coach, my mission is to help professionals—particularly executives—present their ideas with confidence and clarity. One of the biggest challenges many of my clients face is how not to be nervous for a presentation. Public speaking training is a vital part of what I do, and I’m always on the lookout for innovative tools that can support both my clients and my coaching techniques. That’s why I was thrilled to be invited to speak at the IATEFL BESIG Online AI Symposium on September 28th, 2024, where the focus was on using AI tools to create customised content for learners.

This virtual symposium attracted 150 educators (Professors, computer scientists, university teachers) from all over the world, and the demand was so high that registration had to close early! The event was filled with dynamic talks, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities—all centred around how AI is revolutionising the way we teach and coach.

My Talk: Using AI to Improve Executive Presentation Skills

My talk focused on Yoodli, an AI-powered speech coaching application that I regularly use to help clients present persuasively. As a communication coach, I’ve found that many of my clients struggle with nervousness before presentations, especially when they’re speaking in English as a second language. Yoodli has been a game-changer in my coaching programmes, offering unbiased, non-judgmental feedback on speech delivery.

During my live demo at the event, I covered:

  • How to record and analyse a presentation with Yoodli.

  • How to generate transcripts and use AI-driven quantitative and qualitative feedback.

  • The "rephrase concisely" feature, which helps speakers refine their language and get their points across with greater impact.

  • Why both I and my clients love this tool—especially its ability to help users with diverse accents and pronunciations.

For those who struggle with anxiety and real fear, using tools like Yoodli offers a safe space to practice, receive feedback, and improve autonomously. This, combined with personalised coaching, helps to significantly reduce the anxiety that often accompanies public speaking.

How AI Can Elevate Public Speaking Training

While AI tools like Yoodli are fantastic for helping clients overcome nerves, they also serve to fine-tune executive presentation skills. AI-driven insights can provide valuable data on pacing, filler words, and tone—things that are difficult to self-assess. Coaching speakers using this data allows for a more targeted and personalised approach, helping them elevate their communication skills more efficiently.

One of the biggest takeaways from the symposium was the balance between AI and human insight. Despite the impressive capabilities of AI, human coaches remain essential for addressing the nuances of communication—like reading a room, understanding context, and responding to emotional cues.

The Future of Communication Coaching

After attending the IATEFL BESIG Symposium, I left with a list of 24+ new AI tools I’m eager to explore. The event highlighted both the opportunities and challenges AI presents in education and coaching. Issues like bias, intellectual property, and accessibility were hot topics, but it was clear that AI is here to stay—and that it can be a powerful ally for communication coaches like myself.

However, as much as AI can enhance public speaking training, it’s not a replacement for the human element. As a coach, I’m focused on blending the best of both worlds: using AI to provide data-driven feedback while offering the emotional intelligence and personal insights that only a human coach can deliver.

Conclusion

If you’re nervous about public speaking or want to take your executive presentation skills to the next level, incorporating AI tools like Yoodli into your training can offer significant benefits. These tools provide immediate feedback, allowing you to improve in real time, but working with a communication coach ensures that your progress is guided, tailored, and aligned with your goals.

A huge thank you to the organisers and speakers at the IATEFL BESIG Online Symposium for an unforgettable day. I’m excited to continue integrating AI into my coaching programmes and to help more clients communicate with confidence!