What if you could interact with a simulated person to learn from them or practice management techniques? Would you invite a synth to a dinner party?

Samsung’s Technology and Advanced Research Labs (STAR Labs) thinks the answer is yes. It developed Neon, “a computationally created virtual being that looks and behaves like a real human, with the ability to show emotions and intelligence.”

Neons aren’t intended as a stand-in for the internet. They were built to hang out with you. U.S.-based startup Talespin built synths in virtual reality to teach people “soft” management skills, including how to encourage team members or how to fire someone with empathy and compassion.

Canadian startup TwentyBN built a synthetic sales associate to cheerfully interact with customers—and convince them to spend more money.