The text discusses the growing importance of "future-ready" skills like critical thinking and collaboration amidst AI advancements. These skills are traditionally difficult to measure but are crucial for future success. Vantage, an AI-powered research experiment, aims to assess these skills using simulated conversations. It employs an Executive LLM to steer AI avatars and create challenging scenarios for learners. Learners interact in open-ended tasks within the simulated environment to showcase their abilities. An AI Evaluator then analyzes the conversations to provide feedback and skill scores based on a rubric. Research, including a partnership with New York University, validates the system's accuracy. Studies show the AI Evaluator's scores align well with human experts for both collaboration and creativity skills. Vantage aims to integrate into classrooms for skill development alongside academic learning. It offers a scalable method to measure and promote these crucial skills. Future research will focus on skill transferability and cultural inclusivity. The project acknowledges various contributors within Google and partnering organizations.