Harvard Business School’s $699 startup bootcamp uses HeyGen AI avatars

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Harvard Business School Integrates AI Avatars Into Entrepreneurship Training

Harvard Business School has introduced AI-powered avatars into its Foundry bootcamp, an eight-week entrepreneurship program priced at $699. The program uses HeyGen, a platform that creates digital replicas of real people, to generate AI avatars of the program’s instructors. These virtual versions provide individual feedback to entrepreneurs as they practice pitches and participate in simulated board meetings. While the AI avatars handle much of the one-on-one coaching, the program still includes weekly live sessions with the actual human instructors, blending automated feedback with traditional teaching methods.

The technology represents a practical application of AI avatars in professional education, allowing students to receive personalized coaching at scale. Instead of waiting for limited time slots with busy instructors, entrepreneurs can practice their presentations and receive immediate feedback from digital versions of their teachers. This approach addresses a common challenge in online education: providing individualized attention to many students simultaneously without requiring proportional increases in instructor time.

How the AI Avatar System Performs in Practice

To test the system’s effectiveness, New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler conducted an experiment by pitching the same business concept to both Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang and his AI avatar. She presented an intentionally questionable idea she described as “Uber for bananas.” Both the human instructor and his digital counterpart were unimpressed with the concept, suggesting the AI avatar can replicate critical evaluation. However, Kessler observed that the virtual version maintained a noticeably frozen smile throughout the interaction, highlighting current limitations in the technology’s ability to display natural facial expressions.

Bussgang himself acknowledged that his digital replica is a little “creepy,” but emphasized that “My students love it.” This student enthusiasm is particularly noteworthy given that some college students have expressed skepticism about AI tools more broadly in educational settings. The positive reception suggests that when AI is deployed to enhance rather than replace human interaction, learners may be more receptive to the technology.

Development Based on Student Feedback

The current avatar-based format emerged through an iterative design process informed by user preferences. According to project director Katharina Rings, the AI component was originally conceived as something closer to a standard chatbot, which would have provided text-based responses to student questions. After Harvard Business School released a trial version of the program, however, students pushed for a more guided experience. This feedback led to the development of the avatar-based format now in use, where students interact with visual representations of their instructors rather than simple text interfaces.

This evolution demonstrates how educational institutions are adapting AI implementation based on what actually works for learners rather than simply deploying technology for its own sake. The shift from chatbot to avatar suggests students value the sense of personal connection and guidance that comes from interacting with a representation of a real person, even when they know it’s AI-generated.

FAQ

How much does the Harvard Business School Foundry bootcamp cost?

The eight-week Foundry bootcamp is priced at $699. The program includes both AI avatar feedback sessions and weekly live sessions with real instructors.

What technology creates the instructor avatars?

The program uses HeyGen to create AI avatars of its instructors. These digital replicas provide individual feedback during practice pitches and simulated board meetings.

Do students like the AI avatar system?

According to project director Katharina Rings and instructor Jeff Bussgang, Foundry participants respond positively to the avatars. Bussgang noted that his students love the system despite him finding his own replica a little “creepy,” and this positive response contrasts with skepticism some college students have voiced about AI tools more broadly.

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