Harvard Business School deploys AI avatars in $699 startup bootcamp
The HBS Foundry program now features digital replicas of instructors to provide individual feedback, a move that signals a shift in how elite institutions leverage technology to scale education.
Harvard Business School has integrated artificial intelligence avatars into its HBS Foundry, an eight-week startup bootcamp priced at $699. The move represents a significant step for the institution as it seeks to expand its reach through digital tools. The avatars, developed by the startup HeyGen, are designed to offer individualised feedback to participants during practice pitches and board meetings.
This digital layer complements the program’s existing structure, which includes weekly live sessions with human instructors. While the live sessions remain a core component of the curriculum, the AI avatars handle the more granular, one-on-one feedback process. This division of labour allows the program to scale without diluting the personal attention that entrepreneurs require.
Project director Katharina Rings explained that the initial concept for the AI component was closer to a standard chatbot. However, after releasing a trial version, student feedback indicated a preference for a more guided experience. Consequently, the system evolved to provide structured interactions rather than open-ended dialogue, addressing the specific needs of the bootcamp participants.
The effectiveness of the avatars has been tested by New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler, who pitched an AI-generated copy of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang. Kessler noted that while the virtual Bussgang shared the real founder’s lack of enthusiasm for her "Uber for bananas" concept, the digital version displayed a noticeably frozen smile during the exchange.
Despite the uncanny valley effect, participant sentiment has been largely positive. While some college students have expressed reservations about AI integration, Foundry participants have reported a preference for the guided avatar interactions. Bussgang himself acknowledged that his digital copy is a little "creepy," but noted that his students love the experience.
The adoption of HeyGen’s technology highlights a broader trend in higher education, where institutions are experimenting with AI to enhance accessibility and personalisation. For investors and institutions watching the sector, the HBS Foundry serves as a case study in how premium educational brands can utilise emerging technology to maintain quality while expanding capacity.
