Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors

Harvard Business School’s eight‑week Foundry bootcamp, priced at $699, now incorporates AI avatars that deliver individualized feedback to participants during practice pitches and simulated board meetings. The avatars, generated by the startup HeyGen, serve as virtual stand‑ins for real instructors, offering critique and guidance while the program still includes live weekly sessions with human faculty. New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching an AI‑rendered version of Flybridge Capital co‑founder Jeff Bussgang, only to receive a lukewarm response from both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart, the latter displaying a “noticeably frozen smile” as she outlined her “Uber for bananas” concept.

The inclusion of AI avatars reflects HBS’s broader strategy to broaden its educational reach by leveraging technology for scalable, personalized instruction. Project director Katharina Rings initially imagined the AI component functioning more like a chatbot, but student feedback from an early trial prompted a shift toward a more guided, interactive experience. While some college students have voiced skepticism toward AI tools, participants in the Foundry program reported a generally positive reception, appreciating the avatars’ ability to provide consistent, on‑demand critique that complements the live faculty sessions.

Jeff Bussgang, whose digital likeness was used in the experiment, described the avatar as “a little creepy” but noted that his own students have embraced the technology. The bootcamp’s promotional offer—allowing prospective attendees to save up to $300 on tickets if they enroll within 48 hours—underscores the program’s push to attract entrepreneurs eager for a hybrid learning model that blends traditional mentorship with cutting‑edge AI assistance.

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