Harvard Business School has introduced AI avatars of its instructors as part of its $699 eight-week startup bootcamp, known as the HBS Foundry. The avatars, created by HeyGen, are used to offer individual feedback during practice pitches and board meetings. Live sessions with instructors occur weekly, but the AI avatars take on the role of providing feedback during these simulated scenarios.
New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching an AI-generated version of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang. While both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart were unimpressed by her plan to build an Uber for bananas, Kessler noted that the virtual version had a noticeably frozen smile during her pitch. Project director Katharina Rings initially envisioned the AI component as a chatbot, but after HBS released a trial version, students requested a more guided experience.
Some college students have expressed negative feelings toward AI, but Foundry participants told Kessler they like the avatars. Bussgang acknowledged his digital copy is a little 'creepy,' but he said, 'My students love it.'
Source: techcrunch
