Harvard's $699 Startup Bootcamp Deploys AI Avatars for Personalized Feedback

As Harvard Business School (HBS) expands its educational reach, it is turning to AI avatars to deliver personalized feedback to entrepreneurs. These avatars, created by the startup HeyGen, are a core component of the eight-week HBS Foundry bootcamp, priced at $699. The program features weekly live sessions with instructors, but the AI avatars step in to provide feedback during practice pitches and board meetings. A recent trial by New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler highlighted the avatars' capabilities. Kessler pitched her idea for an "Uber for bananas" to an AI-generated version of Jeff Bussgang, co-founder of Flybridge Capital. Both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart were unimpressed by her concept, though Kessler noted that the virtual Bussgang sported a noticeably frozen smile throughout the exchange. Katharina Rings, the project director, revealed that the AI component was initially envisioned as a simple chatbot. However, after a trial version was released, students expressed a preference for a more guided and interactive experience, leading to the development of the avatars. Despite some college students' vocal criticism of AI, bootcamp participants have responded positively to the avatars. Bussgang himself acknowledged that his digital copy might be a bit "creepy," but he added, "My students love it." This innovative approach reflects a broader trend in 2026, where educational institutions are increasingly integrating AI to enhance learning experiences, blending human instruction with scalable, personalized AI feedback.

via TechCrunch AI