By Xi Lin
Adult learners are known for juggling a full plate—careers, family, community responsibilities—and yet still choosing to further their education. Asynchronous online learning often offers the flexibility they need. But what about connection? Engagement? Real-world practice? That’s where AI-driven simulation interviews step in, offering a surprisingly effective bridge between flexible learning and meaningful professional development.
The Problem: Professional Learning Without Professionals
Let’s be real. Adult education courses do a great job of covering theory, but arranging real-life interviews with seasoned professionals? Not so easy. Between time zones, schedules, and professional gatekeeping, getting face time with a mentor or educator in your field can feel like a logistical nightmare. Yet, these interactions are exactly what adult learners crave—practical wisdom, career context, and that “real world” feel.
So, what if learners could simulate those conversations using AI?
Enter the Virtual Interview
In a recent study by Lin et al. (2025), adult learners enrolled in an asynchronous online graduate course were invited to interview artificial intelligence tools—yes, ChatGPT included—by assigning them roles like program developer, counselor, or instructor. Students created prompts, held “conversations” with the AI, and then reflected on what they learned.
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| Figure 1. Students interviewed ChatGPT |
What happened next? The AI might not have passed a Turing test, but it definitely left a lasting impression.
What Changed?
After 42 students across four course sessions completed their AI simulation interviews and reflected on the experience, Lin and colleagues (2025) identified five key themes that revealed what learners really thought:
1. Quick, Accessible, Insightful
Students loved how fast the AI responded. No scheduling. No small talk. Just immediate, structured feedback. One student noted, “It was like interviewing a human…but faster and more structured.” In a world where adult learners are pressed for time, that’s gold.
2. But... Kind of Robotic
AI’s downside? Repetitive and generic answers. “Some of the responses were repeated,” one student said. Others noticed the classic disclaimer—“I am not a program planner, but…”—popping up a bit too often. Helpful? Yes. Personal? Not quite.
3. Perfect for Preparation
Students described the experience as a “jumpstart” to deeper learning. One participant shared: “What used to take hours of research can now be found in minutes.” Another said the simulation “highlighted the multifaceted nature of mentoring.” The takeaway? AI is a solid first step—just not the final one.
4. AI vs. Human: A Different Kind of Feedback
Some students appreciated AI’s unbiased tone and clarity. Others missed human warmth and nonverbal cues. One participant summed it up: “It was helpful, but a bit like talking to a robot.” Still, many agreed both forms of feedback had value—they’re just... different.
5. Trust Issues
AI’s accuracy was questioned. “How would we know if the information is correct?” one student asked. Others likened it to an interactive Wikipedia—helpful, but not gospel. In short, learners saw the tool’s strengths and its blind spots.
A Hybrid Solution: AI + Humans = Better Together
The verdict? AI isn’t a silver bullet—but it’s a powerful ally. Think of it as a personal research assistant that never sleeps. The study suggests that a hybrid model—combining AI’s speed with human mentors’ depth—could offer the best of both worlds.
The goal isn’t to replace human interaction but to amplify learning by using AI for low-stakes practice, scaffolding complex ideas, and encouraging self-paced exploration.
Implementation Tips for Educators
Inspired to try this out in your course? Here’s how to get started:
- Design Smart Prompts: Guide students to ask open-ended, context-specific questions tied to course goals.
- Encourage Reflection: Use discussion boards to let students share what they learned—and what they questioned.
- Blend AI with Human Input: Follow up the AI interview with real-world guest speakers, peer feedback, or instructor-guided discussions.
- Be Transparent: Help students understand AI’s limitations. Use it to spark critical thinking, not just information gathering.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just Talk
AI simulation interviews are more than a novelty—they’re a practical, scalable, and flexible way to deepen understanding, especially for adult learners navigating professional pathways. The magic isn’t in the machine—it’s in how learners engage with it, reflect on it, and ultimately connect the dots between theory and practice.
And that, in the end, might be the real lesson: meaningful learning doesn’t always require a person on the other end of the line. Sometimes, it just takes a good question and a curious mind.
Reference
Lin, X., Zhao, T., Schmidt, S. W., & Zhou, S. (2025). Using AI as a Learning Tool Through Simulation Interviews to Enhance Adult Learning. Adult Learning. https://doi.org/10.1177/10451595251345274
