Start-up creates ultra-realistic 'Barry' the virtual employee who is sacked to train employers

Employers can now practice laying off an ultra-realistic, AI-powered virtual employee in order to develop their soft skills before they have to fire someone in real life. Capable of realistically engaging trainees in conversation and displaying appropriate emotions, poor virtual employee Barry Thompson gets the sack over and over again. However, his reaction -- which can range from calm acceptance to angry and defensive shouting -- varies depending on the user's handing of the scenario. The firm who created Barry have also developed a number of other virtual training scenarios, from negotiation and making sales to giving feedback to subordinates. Barry is a virtual employee created by Talespin Studios.