Can AI Help You Become Better at Media Interviews? Help Me Find Out.

Over the past 30 years, I've media trained and coached thousands of people, from business leaders and politicians to NHS clinicians, charity spokespeople, sports professionals, and emergency service personnel. Thank you to everyone who has trusted me to help them develop their skills.

A spokesperson addresses the media, answering questions during an interview session, as cameras and microphones capture the discussion.

The Importance of Media Training

One thing has always been true. The best way to become proficient at media interviews isn't by reading a book (although they can be helpful in grounding you in the principles of interacting with the media). It's by doing interviews.

The challenge has always been that practising realistic interviews can be expensive and time-consuming. It usually requires another person to play the role of the journalist.

So, I began asking myself a question: Could artificial intelligence become an effective media interviewer?

Introducing Media Coach AI

Over the past few months, using vibe coding, I've been developing an app that combines my media training guide with AI to create realistic interview practice sessions.

The result is Media Coach AI.

The idea is simple. Once you’ve studied the theory, you choose a scenario, provide a briefing, select the journalist type, and the AI journalist conducts a realistic interview. It asks follow-up questions just as a real journalist would. The app analyses your performance and generates detailed feedback. This feedback highlights your strengths, identifies areas for improvement, and offers practical suggestions to help you become a more confident and effective interviewee.

It isn't designed to replace professional media training (which I always recommend people do). Instead, it provides the opportunity to practise whenever you want, as many times as you like, building confidence before facing a real journalist.

Seeking Feedback

Although the app is still under development, it has reached a stage where I'd really value feedback from people prepared to test it.

I'm interested in hearing from:

• Communications professionals

• Journalists

• PR practitioners

• Media trainers

• Business leaders

• Charity spokespeople

• Healthcare professionals

• Students

• Anyone who regularly gives interviews

  
  

Your Insights Matter

I'd love to know:

• Was the interview realistic?

• Were the questions relevant?

• Was the feedback useful?

• What worked well?

• What didn't?

• What features would make it even better?

  
  

You can try the current development version here:

Please bear in mind this is a development version, so you may come across the occasional bug or feature that still needs refining. That's exactly why I'm inviting people to test it.

If you have a few minutes to try it, I'd be grateful if you could send your comments, suggestions, and honest feedback to: info@paulpennington.com

Every suggestion will help shape the next version.

The Role of AI in Communication

Artificial intelligence is changing journalism and communications at an extraordinary pace. My aim isn't to replace human journalists or media trainers, but to use AI to give people a safe, realistic environment in which to practise one of the most important communication skills they'll ever need.

Why Media Training is Essential

In today's fast-paced world, effective communication is crucial. Leaders must convey their messages clearly and confidently. Media training helps individuals develop these skills, ensuring they can handle interviews and public speaking engagements with ease.

Building Confidence Through Practice

Practising with Media Coach AI allows users to build confidence over time. The more you engage with realistic scenarios, the more prepared you become for real-life situations. This app provides a unique opportunity to refine your skills without the pressure of a live audience.

Conclusion

I would love to hear what you think about Media Coach AI. Your feedback is invaluable as I strive to create a tool that meets the needs of professionals across various fields. Together, we can enhance communication skills and empower individuals to succeed in their media interactions.