From bad acting to AI Avatars: the evolution of video in learning

Chances are, if you've worked in any corporate business, at some point in your career you've watched an annual training video that didn't exactly hold your attention - or it did for all the wrong reasons.

The ones that really stick in my mind involved real actors, with cringy slips, trips and falls in slow motion, or where you can see the eyes of a presenter (who can't pronounce the words correctly) move back and forth as they read the autocue.

And let's not get started on the production costs...I can tell you about a quote for a 5-minute marketing video that would make your eyes water.

We have come a very long way since VHS-style training tapes – but video is still one of the most powerful tools in learning today. The difference is how we use it. (and no, I don't think AI is necessarily the answer). You can check out our top 5 tips for using video in training at the end of this blog.

Want to watch this instead? Check out our VLOG on our YouTube channel

https://youtu.be/Dzh1TieEO1U

Why is video so popular in training?

I was in a room of business owners recently discussing digital training, and someone commented that they love watching videos because they connect more with the content.

Video has always been engaging compared to text alone – it brings concepts to life, shows real people and makes learning feel more human. But historically it came with big problems – high cost, clunky editing, and that nagging feeling of 'this isn't real life' (like that awful slow motion slips, trips and falls video I mentioned earlier).

So what's changed? Modern video production is a different game altogether

Now, video is affordable, flexible and scalable. Tools like Synthesia let us create AI avatars with realistic voices in multiple languages - we can even turn someone from your business into an avatar! This means you get professional, brand-aligned video without the huge price-tag.

But don't believe everything you read...Synthesia advertise that anyone can make one of their videos in minutes. While this is technically correct, I can promise you it takes longer than that to do it well.

The way people learn has changed too. Short form video is now the go-to for many. Let's look at the stats...

• Learners recall information 83% more easily when it's delivered via video AND visuals. (Viostream)

• Digital learning improves retention by 25-60% compared to traditional method (one of our favourite facts here at Emblem!) (Devlin Peck)

• Short videos under 3 minutes get the highest engagement. (Powtoon)

• Microlearning can improve retention by up to 80%! (Engageli, 2025)

Younger generations are learning new skills on TikTok and YouTube as much as anywhere else.

The problem with long training videos

Ever completed one of those mandatory annual refresher courses? The ones where you can't click 'next' until you've watched the entire video - usually 10 minutes or more of someone reading a script. They don't just test patience...they dictate the pace.

If you've read any of our previous posts, you know we are all about accessibility at Emblem and we don't believe anyone should decide how long it takes someone to read, watch or absorb information. Learners need the freedom to move at their own speed.

We use video to highlight key points, add scenarios and create a human feel - but we never rely on video alone.

Authenticity matters

Yes, AI Avatars are very cool. They look and sound amazing, videos can be created with a talking head in a short amount of time. There's no badly read scripts or wooden acting BUT…

Authenticity matters. People respond to real people. It's the reason we have influencers makings millions on social media around the world. A short, authentic clip from a manager or subject matter expert can do more than a faceless actor ever could. It doesn't have to be polished - the connection is what matters.

Our approach at Emblem

At Emblem, we combine both. We use AI avatars to add high-quality, engaging video content but keep costs low for the customer. But we also build in authentic video from within your business. Training is always most impactful when it comes from within - not from an external actor.

Here's our top 5 tips for using video in training:

1. Keep it short - videos under 3 minutes hold attention best.

2. Captions matter - not everyone can or wants to listen with sound.

3. Use text on-screen - BUT sparingly. Too much text can be overwhelming.

4. Be authentic! - a short, real clip from your team beats a faceless actor.

5. If authenticity isn't possible, use the right tools - software like Synthesia makes video affordable and professional.

You can see examples of how we use video in our Portfolio page!