Artificial intelligence at the service of skills: revolution or evolution? A look back at PwC's VivaTech 2025 talk

Artificial intelligence (AI) has always been perceived as a technological lever, often associated with advances in sectors such as health, finance or logistics.

However, as AI enters more humane areas, such as talent management and skills development, it raises much deeper questions. Is it a revolution that will completely redefine business practices, or a evolution who will content themselves with perfecting existing tools?

On the occasion of VivaTech 2025, the talk organized by PwC, with the participation of experts such as Murielle Navarre (PwC), Antoine Simon (Maze), and Léo Fichet (Yuzu), has opened up interesting perspectives on the impact of AI in talent management. But even more, he questioned its impact on the very nature of work, training, and skills development.

How can AI redefine talent management? Is it a catalyst for innovation or a simple optimizer of existing practices?

AI in talent management: beyond optimization

During the talk, Murielle Navarre emphasized that AI in talent management and skills development was not simply a question of efficiency.

“AI makes it possible to offer more targeted, more personalized and more accessible training courses.”

But behind this statement lies a real paradigm shift.

AI allows for the personalization of training courses that was not possible with traditional methods. It also allows follow-up in real time the skills of employees, thus offering them a continuing education.

However, if AI is indeed capable of optimizing talent management, it must also intervene in an ethical and thoughtful framework, otherwise it will only become a tool for vetting rather thanaccompanying.

AI as a driver of autonomy and fluidity

One of the undeniable benefits of AI is its ability to provide a instant feedback and personalized. Tools that integrate AI do not just deliver static training, but offer feedback in real time, allowing the learner to correct and improve. As the action progresses. It is a form of learning by Controlled error which is often absent from traditional training courses.

But on closer inspection, this model also raises the question of World of work of the future. While AI can make it possible to train and assess talent more quickly and effectively, it could also tend to automate tasks currently performed by trainers or managers. To what extent does this system transform human roles within the company? Is AI becoming a substitute for essential human interactions, or on the contrary, is it a compliment Who frees up time for more profound and human exchanges?

Yuzu: AI at the service of soft skills

An important innovation in the use of AI for skills development was presented by Léo Fichet, co-founder of Yuzu. Yuzu uses AI to assess and develop Soft Skills, these behavioral skills that are essential in the professional world, but often difficult to measure using conventional methods.

Yuzu is based on the idea that AI can be a powerful lever for Simulate realistic scenarios, where employees can interact with gamified scenarios. These simulations are not only assessment tools, but also active learning tools.

AI makes it possible to analyze the reactions of users in complex situations and to provide them with immediate feedback, while adapting to their actions in real time. For example, in a virtual work environment, an employee can practice dealing with a difficult customer or navigating stressful situations while receiving personalized feedback on their behavior.

This approach is particularly effective for the development of skills such as empathy, communication or stress management. Unlike traditional assessments, where behavioral skills are often subjectively measured by a trainer, Yuzu offers a objective and dynamic evaluation soft skills. The use of AI in this field thus allows a continuous assessment and an apprenticeship immersive, perfectly adapted to the needs of a world of work where these skills are increasingly in demand.

Soft skills: can AI really teach us about humans?

Another central aspect of the talk was the place of Soft Skills in training. According to Léo Fichet, co-founder of Yuzu, AI offers a unique opportunity to develop these essential human skills, which are often difficult to teach by conventional means:

“We tend to focus training efforts on technical skills, but soft skills, such as empathy or stress management, are becoming increasingly important in the professional world.”

The ability of AI to simulate Situations allows you to work on these skills in realistic contexts. For example, an employee could practice managing a difficult customer via a interactive video game, where it must meet the needs of the customer while respecting specific constraints. AI thus makes it possible to reproduce complex work situations that could not be created in a traditional training environment.

But what is really interesting here is to ask ourselves about the learning method what is introduced by AI. According to Anders Ericsson, psychologist and learning expert, to achieve excellence, you have to practice in a way Deliberate and confront real situations. AI allows just this Immersion in reality, but it also raises a crucial question: Can AI really teach us about humans? 

Emotional intelligence, the ability to perceive and manage emotions in a professional context, is a skill that is difficult to measure by a machine. So, while AI is a great training tool, it doesn't replace the human interaction needed to perfect these skills.

Learner engagement: a priority for businesses

A major question raised by the talk is The commitment of learners in a digital environment. Can AI really replace the intrinsic motivation that human interactions bring to a training room? This is a question that many businesses are asking themselves today.

According to Léo Fichet: 91% of users of its assessment solutions remain engaged throughout their journey.

A retention rate much higher than that observed in traditional assessment or training formats. This is because AI, when used well, allows for a learning journey tailored, meeting the specific needs of each learner, while adapting to their pace and mistakes.

This personalizing is one of the advantages of AI.

But doesn't that commitment depend on the nature of the interaction itself?

If AI becomes omnipresent in learning, isn't it likely to reduce the social dimension of work, which is however essential for the development of Soft Skills ? In other words, once the skills are learned, is there room left for collaborative work, exchange and collective thinking that enrich the company culture?

AI governance: crucial ethical issues

While AI offers impressive opportunities, its use in talent management must be accompanied by a strict ethical governance. Murielle Navarre emphasized the need for a transparency total in the use of data and AI, so as not to create biases Or of discriminations in assessing the skills of employees. An AI powered by biased data could, for example, reinforce inequalities between employees or candidates.

In addition, the protection of personal data is becoming a major challenge in this context. How can businesses ensure the security of sensitive employee information while allowing AI to leverage that data to personalize training paths? The establishment of strict regulations will be essential to avoid excesses.

Conclusion: AI as a driver of transformation or a simple optimizer?

The introduction of artificial intelligence in talent management, as shown by the talk of PwC at VivaTech, represents a real opportunity to reinvent training and skills development. But AI also raises complex questions about employee engagement, the nature of learning, and the ethical issues associated with its deployment.

As such, it is clear that AI is not a magic bullet. It will not replace humans, but it can complete. If used thoughtfully, it can become a powerful lever to improve the efficiency and personalization of talent management. However, for it to truly transform businesses, care must be taken not to sacrifice human interaction and essential ethical values. AI can be a revolution, but only if it is integrated into a global and balanced vision.

Watch the replay of the talk

To explore the ideas discussed during the talk in more detail, you can watch the full replay here: