Harvard Business School Uses AI Avatars for Startup Feedback

Harvard Business School is using AI avatars to give personalized feedback for startup projects, aiming to expand its educational reach. These avatars, created by startup HeyGen, are part of the 8-week HBS Foundry bootcamp, which costs $699.

During practice sessions like mock pitches and board meetings, AI avatars replace human teachers for feedback. New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tried it, pitching a "banana Uber" idea to an AI version of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang. He seemed unimpressed but kept a stiff smile.

Project lead Katharina Rings said they initially planned a chatbot, but students wanted more interactive guidance. Despite some college students' dislike of AI, Foundry participants told Kessler they enjoyed the avatars. Bussgang admitted his digital twin is a bit "creepy" but said, "My students love it."