Harvard Business School Uses AI Avatars to Train Entrepreneurs

Participants in HBS Foundry say they appreciate the AI-generated instructor avatars, while Jeff Bussgang admits that his digital copy remains "strange." Harvard Business School's eight-week bootcamp, priced at $699, combines weekly sessions with feedback provided by these avatars designed by HeyGen. The institution is betting on this system to offer personalized feedback and reach more entrepreneurs.

Participants appreciate the avatars; Bussgang finds them "strange"

Participants in the Foundry program report enjoying the avatars, and Jeff Bussgang states, "My students love it." However, he acknowledges that his own digital copy is a bit "strange." Journalist Sarah Kessler experienced an exchange with a generated version of Jeff Bussgang, co-founder of Flybridge Capital: according to her account, neither the speaker nor his avatar was convinced by her idea of "Uber for bananas," and the avatar maintained a frozen smile throughout her presentation. Meanwhile, some university students still express reservations about AI.

HBS Foundry: $699, eight weeks, and feedback provided by avatars

HBS Foundry is offered at $699 for eight weeks and targets entrepreneurs. The program includes live weekly sessions with instructors, while AI avatars representing these instructors provide feedback during practical presentations and advisory meetings. These avatars, created by the startup HeyGen, are integrated into the bootcamp's system.

Redesigned approach after a trial and goal to expand the audience

After a trial version, students requested a more guided experience. Katharina Rings explains that she initially envisioned a component similar to a chatbot before adjusting the system. Harvard Business School aims to broaden its audience by leveraging these avatars for personalized feedback.