LocationsAI Sparring Partner: A New Methodology for Enhancing Teachers’ Communication Skills
January 13, 2026
Belgrade, December 3, 2025 – With the support of the Ministry of Education and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Petlja Foundation organized three pilot workshops aimed at improving teachers’ communication and professional skills with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). During these workshops, a new training concept was tested using the AI Sparing Partner tool, which simulates real-life conversations in a school setting to help teachers communicate constructively with students, parents, and colleagues.
More than 30 teachers, pedagogues, and education professionals from primary, secondary, and vocational schools had the opportunity to participate in this pilot training and explore the AI Sparing Partner. Through interaction with the AI model, they practiced resolving conflicts with different interlocutors—such as a parent, a student with challenging behavior, or a colleague—and engaged in moderated discussions that followed. These discussions contributed to understanding diverse perspectives and making constructive decisions in a pressure-free and completely safe environment for trying out different communication approaches.
The tool’s unique value lies in its ability not only to simulate conversations but also to generate a detailed analysis of what teachers say during interactions, providing material for discussions that lead to learning. According to Dr. Tanja Šijaković, Head of the Department for Internship, Mentorship, and Leadership in Education at the Institute for the Improvement of Education, who participated as an expert advisor in the development of this tool, this analytical layer represents a key added value for teachers’ professional development.
“The potential of this tool lies in its ability to create real learning situations for teachers. During the pilot phase, it became clear that the analytical component further enhances learning by providing insights into the emotions of the parent or other interlocutor and how they interpret what the teacher said during the simulated conversation. In this part, the tool often reveals emotions or observations about the teacher that the interlocutor would not openly express, making the simulated situation even closer to reality,” explains Dr. Šijaković.
Through simulations, teachers were able to respond spontaneously, without an audience, while the AI model replied quickly and convincingly, creating a sense of authenticity. After each conversation, participants analyzed the results, exchanged observations with colleagues, and re-entered the simulation with new insights.
The pilot workshops also showed that the tool affects different teacher profiles in different ways. While some immediately wanted to improve their approach, others viewed it as a challenging interlocutor, questioning its positions. This diversity of reactions confirmed that expert pedagogical guidance is essential for the full implementation of the tool.
“Insights from the pilot phase showed that the greatest value of working with this tool is achieved in small groups of up to five participants. That’s why I see the future of the tool in schools—in a horizontal learning model, where a previously trained teacher or education professional works with colleagues and guides them through the entire process of analysis and skill development,” emphasizes Dr. Šijaković.
The workshops represent an important step in developing innovative methods to support teachers. Participant feedback will be used to improve the tool, with the goal of making AI Sparing Partner a sustainable and valuable resource for professional development in education.
The development of AI Sparing Partner is carried out by the Petlja Foundation as part of the project “Building Key Computing Competencies – Towards the Workforce of the Future,” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
