- Harvard Business School has integrated AI avatars created by HeyGen into its $699, eight-week HBS Foundry bootcamp, which provides personalized feedback during practice pitches and board meetings.
- New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching an AI-generated copy of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang.
- Both the real Bussgang and his digital copy were unimpressed with Kessler's idea of 'Uber for bananas', with the virtual version displaying a frozen smile during the pitch.
- Foundry participants expressed their appreciation for the avatars, with Bussgang acknowledging that his digital copy is 'creepy' but stating, 'My students love it.'
- Project director Katharina Rings initially envisioned the AI component as something closer to a chatbot.
- After HBS released a trial version of the program, students expressed a preference for a more guided, interactive experience.
Harvard Business School's innovative $699 startup bootcamp is leveraging AI avatars from HeyGen to enhance learning experiences.1
The avatars provide personalized feedback during practice pitches and board meetings, a shift from the initial chatbot concept envisioned by project director Katharina Rings.5
Bussgang, a Flybridge Capital co-founder, tested the system and noted, 'My students love it.'24
The program includes weekly live sessions with real instructors, but the AI avatars have become a focal point for participants seeking tailored guidance.
Despite some quirks, such as frozen facial expressions, feedback from students has been largely positive, indicating a growing acceptance of AI in education.
This initiative reflects a broader trend in higher education towards scalable, personalized learning experiences, raising questions about the quality of AI feedback compared to human mentorship.
As the technology evolves, its success could influence how other business schools and startup accelerators integrate AI into their curricula, suggesting that AI can complement rather than replace human instruction.
Overall, the Foundry program's reception highlights the potential for AI to enhance educational outcomes, even as it navigates the challenges of replicating nuanced guidance from experienced investors and academics.
“The avatars, built by HeyGen, are part of the eight-week HBS Foundry program that also includes weekly live sessions with real instructors. New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching an AI-generated copy of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang, who found her 'Uber for bananas' idea unimpressive.”
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