Pearson launches AI Communication Coach inside Microsoft 365: what PR and comms teams should know
Pearson has introduced Communication Coach, an AI-powered learning tool built into Microsoft 365 that gives real-time feedback on how people speak and write at work. For PR and communications teams, this means live coaching on tone, clarity, and professionalism-right inside tools you already use.
Announced on Nov. 18, 2025, the product is part of Pearson's collaboration with Microsoft and will be previewed at Microsoft Ignite 2025, with pilots and general availability slated for 2026.
What it is
Communication Coach analyzes speech, communication data, and meeting interactions across Microsoft 365. It combines those signals with Pearson's learning content and learning science to give instant, actionable tips on grammar, vocabulary, tone, expression, clarity, and professional interactions.
It's built for both native and non-native English speakers and adapts to different proficiency levels, using Pearson's Global Scale of English to benchmark progress.
Why it matters for PR and communications
- Sharpen spokespeople in live settings: get feedback on tone, clarity, and pacing during media preps in Teams.
- Strengthen executive messaging: improve precision and tone in Outlook drafts for statements, Q&As, and investor notes.
- Support global teams: help non-native speakers deliver concise, confident updates across regions.
- Tighten approvals: reduce rewrites by surfacing issues (jargon, hedging, inconsistencies) before content hits review.
- Build consistency: align voice and professionalism across spokespeople and functions.
How it works
The tool runs on Pearson's skills intelligence engine, drawing from properties like Faethm and Credly, and can incorporate company-specific data. It can also be fine-tuned with Microsoft 365 Copilot to reflect your organization's context and policies. Learn more about Copilot from Microsoft here: Microsoft 365 Copilot.
As Vishaal Gupta, President Enterprise Learning Solutions at Pearson, said: "We all know that good communication skills are one of the core criteria for doing well at work. Communication Coach is Pearson's way of helping people build that critical skill. By integrating helpful hints, nudges, and tips into trusted products that millions of people use every day, we can dramatically scale our ability to help people progress and succeed." He added, "Together with Microsoft, we're helping people build their communication ability by delivering low stress learning directly in the flow of work where they can effectively get their points across and progress with confidence."
Ranveer Chandra, VP Copilot Tuning at Microsoft, added: "At Microsoft, we believe AI should empower people-not just processes. Together with Pearson, we're bringing AI skilling, tuned to the organization's data, directly in the flow of work, helping individuals accelerate how they learn, communicate, and grow in their careers. By embedding intelligent, personalized tools into products like Teams and Copilot, we're delivering human-centered solutions that drive meaningful progress-for every employee, in every role."
Practical scenarios for PR teams
- Media briefings: rehearse in Teams and get real-time nudge prompts on concision, filler words, and message clarity.
- Crisis drills: simulate statements and Q&A, receive tone and empathy guidance before content goes live.
- Earnings prep: align language across IR, legal, and comms with shared guidance on terminology and phrasing.
- Spokesperson development: track improvement against a consistent rubric, set goals, and level up weak areas.
What to do next
- Map high-impact moments: earnings calls, product launches, crisis simulations, and executive communications.
- Partner with IT and legal: confirm data residency, meeting recording policies, and admin controls.
- Define KPIs: clarity scores, time-to-approval, reduction in rewrites, spokesperson consistency, post-brief accuracy.
- Plan enablement: quick-start guides, short role-based drills, and manager coaching workflows.
- Explore Copilot tuning: align prompts and feedback to your brand voice, glossary, and compliance rules.
Key details and timing
- Platform: integrated into Microsoft 365 (including Teams and Copilot).
- Focus: real-time coaching on grammar, vocabulary, tone, expression, clarity, and professional interactions.
- Intelligence: Pearson skills engine using data from Faethm and Credly; aligned with the Global Scale of English.
- Availability: preview at Microsoft Ignite 2025; pilots and general availability in 2026.
Evaluate readiness: questions to ask vendors and IT
- Data and privacy: How are recordings, transcripts, and PII handled? What controls exist for data retention and access?
- Customization: Can we tune feedback to our brand voice, glossary, and risk thresholds?
- Coverage: Which Microsoft 365 surfaces are supported (Teams meetings, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)?
- Admin and analytics: What dashboards exist for team progress and content quality trends?
- Accessibility and inclusion: How does it support non-native speakers and neurodiverse communicators?
- Licensing: How will this interact with existing Copilot and Microsoft 365 plans?
Further learning
Want structured training to upskill your team alongside tools like Copilot and Communication Coach? Explore role-based AI learning paths here: AI courses by job function.
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