AI-Powered Coaching Learning Tool 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator' Exhibited at IOC-Hosted Conference
Coach U, a subsidiary of Coach A, exhibited the AI-powered coaching tool 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator', co-developed with UK's Ovida, at the IOC conference in Boston.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 01:00
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Coach U*¹, a subsidiary of Coach A Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard: 9339), an executive coaching firm that realizes organizational transformation, exhibited the AI-powered coaching learning tool 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator' at the '16th Annual Coaching in Leadership & Healthcare Conference'*³ hosted by the Institute of Coaching*² (hereafter IOC) in Boston on May 1-2, 2026 (US Eastern Time). The tool is being co-developed with UK-based Ovida*⁴.
In recent years, as management styles within organizations have evolved, the importance of coaching management—which supports members' autonomy and growth through dialogue—has increased. On the other hand, accumulating practical experience is essential for acquiring and retaining coaching skills.
The 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator' was developed against this backdrop as a practical learning tool that supports leadership development through iterative role-playing with AI agents. Built upon the framework Coach U has cultivated over 30 years, it aims to create a learning experience that leverages the respective characteristics and strengths of human coaching and AI.
Users can repeatedly role-play with AI agents simulating specific situations and counterparts, tailored to the skills they wish to strengthen, while receiving systemic feedback based on their actual coaching tendencies and challenges. By applying these learnings in their real-world leadership environments and reviewing feedback on the outcomes, visualizing their learning progress, and tracking skill changes on the system, users are guided toward continuous improvement in practical coaching skills.
Furthermore, for companies, utilizing the 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator' enables the deployment of learning opportunities across the entire organization while keeping training costs low.
Our group will continue to strive towards creating new learning experiences that support the growth of people and organizations through the fusion of AI technology and coaching.
| About Coach U*¹
Founded in 1992 by the late Thomas J. Leonard, Coach U is the world's first coach training institution. It programmed the communication skill of coaching into something 'anyone can learn.'
In an era when the profession of coaching did not exist, the institution contributed to the development of coaching by training professional coaches. Today, it provides services in global hubs including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
| About the Institute of Coaching (IOC)*²
Established in 2009, the IOC is a non-profit coaching research institute affiliated with McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Since its inception, aiming to enhance the value and credibility of the coaching field, it has strived to popularize evidence-based coaching practices and theories through publishing research, providing learning opportunities, and hosting conferences.
| About the Conference Hosted by IOC*³
This conference is the annual convention hosted by the IOC, titled 'Annual Coaching in Leadership & Healthcare Conference'. World-class scientists and coaching researchers take the stage to explore, alongside participants, the further evolution of coaching and methods to inspire innovation within self, others, and organizations.
Our group has also exhibited at the conferences held in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
| About Ovida*⁴
Ovida is a UK company providing an AI-powered coaching and communication skills development platform. Through AI-driven conversational analysis and role-playing features, it offers services aimed at leadership development and coaching skills improvement.
| About Coach A Co., Ltd.
Coach A is an executive coaching firm that realizes organizational transformation.
Focusing on interpersonal relationships, the company promotes organizational development through dialogue that supports transformation across the entire organization, employing an approach called Systemic Coaching™.
Since its founding in 1997 (originally as Coach Twenty-One), it has contributed as a pioneer to the popularization and expansion of coaching in Japan for nearly 30 years. Approximately 80% of its clients (by revenue) are large enterprises listed on the Prime Market.
In recent years, as management styles within organizations have evolved, the importance of coaching management—which supports members' autonomy and growth through dialogue—has increased. On the other hand, accumulating practical experience is essential for acquiring and retaining coaching skills.
The 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator' was developed against this backdrop as a practical learning tool that supports leadership development through iterative role-playing with AI agents. Built upon the framework Coach U has cultivated over 30 years, it aims to create a learning experience that leverages the respective characteristics and strengths of human coaching and AI.
Users can repeatedly role-play with AI agents simulating specific situations and counterparts, tailored to the skills they wish to strengthen, while receiving systemic feedback based on their actual coaching tendencies and challenges. By applying these learnings in their real-world leadership environments and reviewing feedback on the outcomes, visualizing their learning progress, and tracking skill changes on the system, users are guided toward continuous improvement in practical coaching skills.
Furthermore, for companies, utilizing the 'Leader-as-Coach Simulator' enables the deployment of learning opportunities across the entire organization while keeping training costs low.
Our group will continue to strive towards creating new learning experiences that support the growth of people and organizations through the fusion of AI technology and coaching.
| About Coach U*¹
Founded in 1992 by the late Thomas J. Leonard, Coach U is the world's first coach training institution. It programmed the communication skill of coaching into something 'anyone can learn.'
In an era when the profession of coaching did not exist, the institution contributed to the development of coaching by training professional coaches. Today, it provides services in global hubs including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
| About the Institute of Coaching (IOC)*²
Established in 2009, the IOC is a non-profit coaching research institute affiliated with McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Since its inception, aiming to enhance the value and credibility of the coaching field, it has strived to popularize evidence-based coaching practices and theories through publishing research, providing learning opportunities, and hosting conferences.
| About the Conference Hosted by IOC*³
This conference is the annual convention hosted by the IOC, titled 'Annual Coaching in Leadership & Healthcare Conference'. World-class scientists and coaching researchers take the stage to explore, alongside participants, the further evolution of coaching and methods to inspire innovation within self, others, and organizations.
Our group has also exhibited at the conferences held in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
| About Ovida*⁴
Ovida is a UK company providing an AI-powered coaching and communication skills development platform. Through AI-driven conversational analysis and role-playing features, it offers services aimed at leadership development and coaching skills improvement.
| About Coach A Co., Ltd.
Coach A is an executive coaching firm that realizes organizational transformation.
Focusing on interpersonal relationships, the company promotes organizational development through dialogue that supports transformation across the entire organization, employing an approach called Systemic Coaching™.
Since its founding in 1997 (originally as Coach Twenty-One), it has contributed as a pioneer to the popularization and expansion of coaching in Japan for nearly 30 years. Approximately 80% of its clients (by revenue) are large enterprises listed on the Prime Market.
FAQ
Who developed the Leader-as-Coach Simulator?
It was co-developed by Coach U (a subsidiary of Coach A) and UK-based Ovida.
What are its main features?
It features role-playing scenarios with AI agents and provides objective system feedback.
What is the primary benefit?
It allows companies to scale practical coaching skills training across the organization cost-effectively.