Harvard Business School is leveraging AI avatars to provide personalized feedback as it seeks to broaden its educational reach.
These avatars, developed by the startup HeyGen, are integrated into HBS Foundry, an eight-week entrepreneurial bootcamp costing $699. While the program includes weekly live sessions with instructors, the AI avatars are responsible for delivering feedback during practice pitches and simulated board meetings.
New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler personally tested this feature by presenting a pitch to an AI-generated likeness of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang. Both the actual Bussgang and his digital counterpart reportedly found her “Uber for bananas” concept unconvincing, though Kessler noted the virtual version maintained an unnervingly fixed smile throughout her presentation.
Initially, project director Katharina Rings envisioned the AI element as more akin to a chatbot. However, student feedback after a trial release indicated a preference for a more structured experience.
Despite some college students openly expressing negative sentiments toward AI, participants in the Foundry program informed Kessler that they appreciate the avatars. Bussgang himself acknowledged his digital double is somewhat “creepy,” but affirmed, “My students love it.”