‘I Think You’re on Mute’ – Addressing Dominance and Bias During Video Calls

SALT LAKE CITY – WGU Labs Inc., an affiliate of online nonprofit Western Governors University, today announced an Accelerator partnership with Riff Analytics, a learning technology company with AI-enabled capabilities that provide feedback to improve communication. Riff Analytics builds tools that use AI to measure how individuals and teams interact during video calls and chats while providing personalized feedback on opportunities for improving communication.

The shift to virtual work and schooling, accelerated by the COVD-19 pandemic, has brought an onslaught of virtual communication issues to the forefront. Virtual communication requires work to fill in for missing signals that ordinarily come through physical proximity, such as body language and eye contact. By using data and insights, Riff Analytics helps participants become more self-aware of their impact on others in a team environment.

“Our work is centered on using technology to improve human behavior,” says Beth Porter, Co-founder and CEO of Riff Analytics. “We’re excited to work with the Accelerator at WGU Labs to carry out research on how Riff Analytics improves communications among learners.”

Under the partnership, the Accelerator will leverage its expertise in research and market development to measure Riff Analytics’ impact within various learning communities and share these understandings within the postsecondary education market.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Riff Analytics to the Accelerator at WGU Labs,” said Todd Bloom, Managing Director, Accelerator at WGU Labs. “In an increasingly virtual and remote world, there is a clear opportunity to utilize rich vocal and visual data to improve the experience for all participants.”

Riff Analytics marks the ninth partnership for the Accelerator at WGU Labs since its establishment. To learn more about the Accelerator at WGU Labs and its partners, visit www.wgulabs.org/.