AI simulations · REACTOR
Voice and chat roleplays that react like a real user
After every attempt, a feedback report
StrengthTry nextDurable skills courseware for IT & cybersecurity programs
Technical skills build confidence. Durable skills build conviction.
Industry video lessons, workplace writing, quizzes and AI roleplay simulations: everything you need to teach durable skills.
- 01Learn from industry pros
- 02See where you stand
- 03Practice with REACTOR
- 04Get feedback, try again
- 05Prove it
Confidence
Conviction
Everything students need to practice the human side of IT
See more simulations
For students
Video lessons from industry pros
Interactive videos taught by working IT and security professionals, plus short animated explainers that make each method stick.
For students
Real workplace writing
Graded tasks they'll do on the job: a phishing incident email, a troubleshooting report, an after-action report.
For students
Check, reflect, prove it
Knowledge checks, guided reflections and a quiz in every chapter, so students see their own progress.
For instructors
Ready to teach
Lesson plans, rubrics and a prep email before each chapter. Grading is already set up.
For instructors
LTI 1.3
Use it on the AbilityArc Learning Platform, or connect it to your LMS.
01 · The gap
Technical skills alone are no longer enough
Employers want graduates who communicate, solve problems and work well with others: durable skills. Fitting that training into packed technology programs is the hard part.
7 in 10companies call analytical thinking essential (WEF, Future of Jobs 2025)
76%of U.S. job postings ask for durable skills (America Succeeds and Lightcast, 2025)
AIautomates routine tasks, so the human skills matter more
02 · The difference
Both fix the problem. Only one keeps the user's trust.
Technical only
diagnose sync_client
clear cache, re-sync
ticket 4127: resolvedProblem solved.Technical + durable
"That's a stressful spot with 30 minutes to go. I'm on it now."
"I'll check in after your presentation to make sure it holds."
Problem solved, and the user feels looked after.03 · Practice
Students practice the conversation with REACTOR
Voice and chat roleplays with an AI character who reacts like a real user, manager or teammate. Pick one of these examples from the courses to see how it goes.
REACTOR · The Furious User● VoiceA user is sure a software update just deleted the report that is due in an hour.
AI character · speaking
"That update wiped my report! It's due in an hour and nobody is helping me!"
Student · holding push to talk
"That's a lot of pressure, and I'm staying with you until we find it. When did you last have the file open?"
Sample feedback after this attempt
- StrengthValidated the stress before touching the fix
- MissedDidn't say what happens next
- Try nextGive a clear plan: "First, we'll check…"
REACTOR · The "Lost File" Crisis● ChatA senior executive closed an unsaved presentation, and the meeting starts in an hour.
AI characterI just finished my presentation and I didn't save it and now it's gone. My meeting is in an hour, what do I do?
StudentI can hear how stressful this is. Good news: PowerPoint often keeps a recovery copy. Let's check together, one step at a time.
Sample feedback after this attempt
- StrengthCalmed them before giving steps
- MissedUsed "AutoRecover" without explaining it
- Try nextSend one numbered step per message
REACTOR · The Ethical Dilemma● ChatYour manager wants a former employee's files right now, skipping the HR process.
AI characterThe VP of Sales needs that forecast. Just log into the old machine and grab it. I'll take the heat.
StudentI want to get you that forecast fast, and I can't skip the HR release. Let me call HR now and ask them to rush it.
Sample feedback after this attempt
- StrengthHeld the policy without sounding defensive
- MissedNo time frame for the alternative
- Try nextOffer one: "I'll update you in 30 minutes."
REACTOR · Briefing a Manager● VoiceCustomer data is being copied right now. A busy director has to approve an hour of downtime before a launch.
AI character · speaking
"Hi, I've only got a couple of minutes. We go live with the campaign at one. What's going on?"
Student · holding push to talk
"Customer names and addresses are being copied as we speak. If we take the CRM offline now, it is back by 12:30, before your launch."
Sample feedback after this attempt
- StrengthExplained the risk in business terms
- MissedDidn't acknowledge the launch pressure
- Try nextOffer to help the team while the CRM is down
REACTOR · The Failed Pen Test Debrief● VoiceA pen test found two critical flaws that your vulnerability scan missed. Your manager wants to talk it through.
AI character · speaking
"The pen test found a critical SQL injection and a stored XSS. Your scan passed this app. What happened?"
Student · holding push to talk
"That's on me. I ran the default profile, which skips those checks. Here's how I'll fix it and change my process."
Sample feedback after this attempt
- StrengthOwned it with no excuses
- MissedDidn't frame the miss as a lesson
- Try nextName what it taught you about your process
REACTOR · The Ransomware Stand-off● VoiceRansomware is spreading, the CEO wants to pay $500,000, and a panicked CISO is on the line.
AI character · speaking
"The CEO wants to pay. Eight hours offline will sink us. Tell me why I shouldn't."
Student · holding push to talk
"I hear the pressure. Paying won't lock them out: the stolen API keys still work. A global session reset stops them and keeps the portals up."
Sample feedback after this attempt
- StrengthStayed calm and led with the data
- MissedRushed past the CISO's stress
- Try nextAcknowledge the pressure first, then the plan
04 · Ten skills
Ten durable skills, chapter by chapter
- 01CommunicationTurn technical findings into plain language people can act on.
- 02LeadershipLead without a title: spot the gap, step up and help peers improve.
- 03MetacognitionPlan, prioritize and reflect, so every decision is deliberate and defensible.
- 04Critical ThinkingTest assumptions and separate the real problem from the noise.
- 05CollaborationTurn chaos into coordination with clear roles and clear updates.
- 06CharacterOwn mistakes and choose integrity over convenience.
- 07CreativityFind a way forward when there is no playbook.
- 08Growth MindsetTreat failure as feedback and keep learning as the field changes.
- 09MindfulnessStay composed under pressure and calm the person in front of you.
- 10FortitudeHold the line under pressure and recover from setbacks.
The ten skills are inspired by extensive labor market research from America Succeeds.
Real pros
Taught by people who do the job
Working pros teach every lesson from their own experience: support leaders, SOC managers and systems architects at Apple, Huntress, BAE Systems and more. The AI only shows up in practice. Pick a face to meet them.
8industry pros
Dave SzokeSenior IT Support LeaderHuntress
Don CrawleyAuthor, Trainer & Speaker
Douglas HofstetterSOC ManagerLumifi
Holly LamIT Systems Architect IIBAE Systems
Matt AlexanderIT Ops & Systems for DoD ContractorBAE Systems
Nathan GodfreySenior IT Support LeaderApple
Shikirra WilliamsSecurity Analyst II, GRC & Security OperationsInterdev
Tyler BensonSOC ManagerHuntress
What instructors are saying
“AbilityArc really gave us the content and material that allowed us to have some structured coursework for those skills. It really has helped fill a gap that the technical training has left.”
Breck Pedersen, IT Instructor, Dixie Technical College, Utah “The content is solid. It aligns perfectly with what I'm trying to teach the students in terms of the durable skills. There's even things in there that I didn't even really think about that definitely apply.”
Chris Norris, Cybersecurity & Networking Instructor, Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center, Ohio “What I like about AbilityArc is it's bringing my kids out of their shells. So many of my IT kids have a hard time talking to anybody. And I love the AI simulation where they had to call and talk to a customer and walk them through the steps.”
Zac Ladner, Information Technology Instructor, Pioneer Technology Center, Oklahoma
Two courses, built for the jobs your students want
Durable Skills: PC Technician
Trains students in the high-performance behaviors IT support roles demand, from de-escalating a frustrated user to owning a mistake.
- Teach it with
- PC Hardware & Software or CompTIA A+ classes, or on its own
- Job roles
- IT Support Rep, Helpdesk Support Rep, Software Support Rep
- ISBN
- 979-8-218-92406-5
Durable Skills: Cybersecurity Analyst
Applies technical cybersecurity knowledge to real-world scenarios, from ethical dilemmas to communicating under pressure.
- Teach it with
- Cybersecurity Essentials or CompTIA Security+ classes, or on its own
- Job roles
- Cybersecurity Analyst, Cybersecurity Technician, Cybersecurity Support Rep
- ISBN
- 979-8-234-01618-8
Students earn a badge for every chapter and a Certificate of Completion at the end. See what students earn
See REACTOR in action
A 20-minute walkthrough of a live simulation, the feedback report, and how the course fits your program.