CodeSignal Launches AI-Powered Soft Skills Training Courses to Revolutionize Professional Development

As an age when AI is changing the way things work, startups and big tech companies are using its power to aid developers with enhancing coding skills and getting ready for the real world scenarios, such as for job interview. Tech assessment platform CodeSignal, with an existing platform which includes AI driven learning for technical subjects, has now dipped its toes into the soft skill training industry offering courses that help individuals enhance their skills in different leadership, communication and other essential professional abilities.

Historically, executive coaching, focused on developing leadership and communication skills, has been accessible only to senior-level employees in large organizations due to its hefty price tag. But CodeSignal is changing that dynamic by using AI models to bring personalized, affordable coaching to the masses.

Tigran Sloyan, CEO of CodeSignal, highlighted that companies increasingly hire non-technical employees and saw a significant opportunity to train these workers in various aspects of their professional lives. “With the advancement of generative AI, we realized the potential to unlock a whole new realm of soft skills, including leadership training, sales techniques, and negotiation strategies. Hands-on training is key to mastering these skills, which is why after launching technical training, we expanded into this new area,” Sloyan said.

As part of its expansion, CodeSignal launched over 100 courses covering areas like effective one-on-one meetings, strategic leadership, behavioral profile assessments, public speaking, and more. These courses are designed to allow users to practice realistic work-life scenarios using AI-powered simulations.

Users can select specific courses or ask the AI assistant to recommend relevant scenarios based on their goals. The company has developed its own voice stack for AI interactions, avoiding third-party solutions like ElevenLabs to reduce long-term costs. After each conversation, the AI assistant provides feedback and improvement tips.

To manage usage, CodeSignal uses an energy-based system. Free users get a limited number of interactions with the AI assistant per day, while paid subscribers can unlock unlimited access for $24.99. As users complete courses, they advance through skill levels—developing, intermediate, advanced, and expert—marking their progress in each area.

CodeSignal also offers enterprise-level plans, where companies can create custom courses based on their organizational values and culture. This includes designing AI characters with specific personalities tailored to help professionals practice real-life situations. However, this personalization comes with the challenge of ensuring cultural sensitivity, especially across different regions and corporate environments.

HR consultant Sumit Singla, based in India, raised concerns about AI’s ability to handle cultural nuances in professional communication. He pointed out that AI might encourage assertiveness in some scenarios, but in certain cultures, this could be perceived negatively. He also mentioned that AI's lack of emotional intelligence and contextual awareness might lead to awkward or inappropriate responses, particularly when misinterpreting humor or sarcasm.

Sloyan acknowledged these concerns and noted that while CodeSignal strives to integrate cultural and personality-specific contexts into its training, it is an ongoing process. The company is also working on cultural templates for new regions and industries.

CodeSignal, which is backed by Menlo Ventures and Index Ventures, is not the only company exploring AI for soft skills training. Microsoft LinkedIn has also developed AI-powered tools in this space. While CodeSignal primarily engages users via its website, the company plans to launch mobile apps for iOS and Android later this year to further extend its reach.