Clear participant roles
Speakers, hosts, and viewers have different jobs. Confirm each person has the right access before starting.
Online debates
Distance does not have to end a good discussion. Meet an opponent in a live video room, with speech timing that gives both sides room to respond.
Choose a conversation in real time, an asynchronous contribution, or a private practice session.
Agree on a time with an opponent. Make your case and respond face to face in a browser-based video room.
Open the live setupMake a 60-second case on a topic when your schedule allows. Other people can watch and respond with their own takes.
Find a topicWork through an argument with the AI coach before inviting someone else. Repeat a difficult response at your own pace.
Meet the coachSearch the topic library or use a random prompt. Make sure both sides understand what is being debated.
Choose 1-on-1, 2-on-2, or relay, then your side and speech length.
Choose the voting window and whether to record. Let participants know the recording plan before the round.
When the setup is ready, create the debate and share the appropriate link with the people joining.
1 on 1
You vs one
2 on 2
Teams
Relay
Rotating
Pro
Argue for
Con
Argue against
Short
~4 min
Standard
~10 min
Long
~20 min
Example setup. Open the picker to choose your topic and settings.
During the exchange
Know who is speaking, how much time remains, and what the host has enabled for this debate.
Speakers, hosts, and viewers have different jobs. Confirm each person has the right access before starting.
Follow the same clock and speech phases so both sides know when to make a case and when to respond.
Signed-in viewers can vote when voting is enabled. The host controls when the ballot opens and closes.
If recording is enabled, speakers and moderators are asked for consent. Share a replay once it is ready.
Before you join
Check the equipment and agree on the ground rules ahead of time. The connection test requests camera and microphone access only when you start the test.
Test your connection →Troubleshooting
Start with your link, device permissions, and connection. If the room has ended or access is restricted, ask the host for the next step.
Run a connection check →Check camera and microphone permissions for this site in your browser and device settings. Close another app that may be using the device, then rejoin the room. The connection test can help check your setup.
Check that you are not muted and that the intended microphone and headphones are selected on your device. Ask another participant whether their audio works. If the problem continues, run the connection test before rejoining.
Run the connection test to check your browser, devices, and network. If your network restricts video calls, try another network you are allowed to use. Ask the host to confirm that the room is still open.
Check the event page and ask the host whether the debate has ended or the link has changed. A new room needs a new link; refreshing an expired link will not create one.
Close other apps using your camera or connection, pause large downloads, and move to a more stable network if possible. Run the connection test, then rejoin if the room is still open.
Yes. Sign in to cast a ballot when voting is enabled for the debate. A signed-in viewer gets one vote per debate and can change it while the ballot is open.
Practice with Aurelius or record a short video take from the topic library. For a live exchange, invite someone and agree on the question and time before starting the round.
Check that you opened the viewing link for the current debate. Ask the host whether the speakers have joined and started their video. If they have, refresh the viewing page and check your connection.
Pick a resolution you both want to examine. If you are new to speaking, the first-debate playbook helps you prepare a case before you invite an opponent.