Harvard Business School is strategically leveraging artificial intelligence avatars to deliver personalized feedback as part of its ongoing efforts to broaden its educational reach.
These sophisticated avatars, developed by the startup HeyGen, are integral to the HBS Foundry bootcamp, an eight-week program priced at $699 designed for aspiring entrepreneurs. While the bootcamp includes weekly live sessions with instructors, the AI avatars assume the crucial role of providing critical feedback during practical exercises such as pitch simulations and mock board meetings.
New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler personally experienced this innovative approach, presenting a pitch to an AI-generated replica of Jeff Bussgang, co-founder of Flybridge Capital. Both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart reportedly found her "Uber for bananas" concept unconvincing, with Kessler observing that the virtual version maintained a "noticeably frozen smile" throughout her presentation.
According to project director Katharina Rings, the initial concept for the AI component was more aligned with a standard chatbot. However, subsequent feedback from students following a trial release prompted a shift towards developing a more structured and guided interactive experience.
In contrast to the widespread negative sentiment expressed by some college students regarding AI, participants in the Foundry program conveyed their positive reception of the avatars to Kessler. Bussgang himself admitted his digital likeness felt "a little creepy," yet he affirmed its value, stating, "My students love it."
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