Harvard’s $699 Startup Bootcamp Uses AI Avatars for Personalized Feedback

Harvard Business School has introduced AI avatars of its instructors in its $699, eight-week startup bootcamp, using them to provide personalized feedback during practice pitches and board meetings. The avatars, created by the AI video platform HeyGen, are part of the HBS Foundry program, which also includes weekly live sessions with real instructors. This hybrid approach aims to scale individualized mentorship while maintaining human oversight.

How the AI Avatars Work

The AI avatars are integrated into the bootcamp’s curriculum to simulate realistic pitch and board meeting scenarios. Participants present to the avatars, which respond with feedback based on the instructors’ known expertise and teaching style. According to project director Katharina Rings, the initial concept was closer to a chatbot, but after a trial version, students expressed a preference for a more guided, interactive experience. This led to the adoption of HeyGen’s avatar technology, which allows for realistic, video-based interactions.

Student and Instructor Reactions

New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching an AI-generated copy of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang. While both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart were unimpressed with her ‘Uber for bananas’ idea, Kessler noted that the virtual Bussgang displayed a noticeably frozen smile. Despite such quirks, Foundry participants told Kessler they appreciate the avatars, and Bussgang himself admitted the digital copy is a little ‘creepy’ but added, ‘My students love it.’ This suggests that the novelty and convenience of AI feedback may outweigh its imperfections.

Why This Matters for Entrepreneurship Education

This initiative reflects a broader trend in higher education: leveraging AI to provide scalable, personalized learning experiences. For Harvard, it offers a way to extend its reach and provide more individualized attention to a larger number of entrepreneurs. However, it also raises questions about the quality of feedback compared to human mentorship, and whether AI avatars can truly replicate the nuanced guidance of experienced investors and academics. The program’s success could influence how other business schools and startup accelerators integrate AI into their curricula.

Conclusion

Harvard Business School’s use of AI avatars in its startup bootcamp represents a significant experiment in AI-assisted education. While the technology is still evolving, the positive reception from participants suggests that AI can complement, rather than replace, human instruction. As this program develops, it will be worth monitoring how the avatars are refined and whether they lead to better outcomes for entrepreneurs.

FAQs

Q1: What is the HBS Foundry bootcamp?
The HBS Foundry is an eight-week program for entrepreneurs, priced at $699, that includes live sessions with instructors and now integrates AI avatars for feedback during practice pitches and board meetings.

Q2: How are the AI avatars created?
The avatars are generated using HeyGen, a startup that creates realistic AI video representations of people. They are designed to provide feedback based on the instructors’ expertise and teaching style.

Q3: Are students satisfied with the AI feedback?
According to reports, most participants have responded positively, finding the avatars useful for practice. However, some have noted minor glitches, such as frozen facial expressions, indicating the technology is not yet flawless.