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Text chat mode
AI Fellows are voice-first by default. When text chat is enabled, the same AI Fellow can also be used by typing. This option is useful when a user cannot speak out loud, when a short exchange is easier to read, or when text is more suitable for the audience or context.
Where typing is available, Voice and Text appear with Start live session.
Where chat mode appears
| Where users open the Fellow | Chat mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone AI Fellow page | Per AI Fellow | Controlled by Allow text chat instead of live calls on the AI Fellow's Capabilities. |
| Your Fellow page inside the workspace | Always available | Voice and Text are shown for the AI Fellow assigned to them. |
| Learning Path Fellow Session | Per Learning Path | Controlled by Text chat on the Learning Path's Capabilities. Off by default. AI Simulations in the path follow their own setting. |
Turn it on for an AI Fellow
Switch Allow text chat instead of live calls on.
Turn it on for a Learning Path
The setting applies to every Fellow Session in the path. Users choose Voice or Text each time they open a session and can switch during it without losing the conversation. Objectives are checked off in a text session the same way as in a call, so completing them still unlocks the next session. Switching to text stops the camera and screen sharing; the whiteboard and Connectors remain available when the Learning Path allows them.
What each option does
Text before a call starts a text session. The user types, the AI Fellow replies in text, and both sides of the conversation are saved to the transcript. Connectors run the same way as in a voice call. A text session does not use voice minutes.
Voice during that text session continues the same conversation as a call. The microphone must be allowed. If it is blocked, the page shows Allow microphone access to switch to voice and the text session stays open. To prevent an accidental switch, the first press shows Select Voice again to switch this conversation to a voice call., and the call starts only when the user selects Voice again.
During a call, Text opens Chat so the user can type while the call continues. Voice closes Chat. A call does not become a text-only session. Start live session still starts a voice call when nothing is in progress.
In a Learning Path session, the Chat panel has a text box during every voice call, even when Text chat is off, so learners can paste text the AI Fellow asks for. It does not start a text session.
Chat mode is best for conversations where written exchange is more appropriate than a voice call.