NewsBite analysis · AI, Education, Startups · New Product
TechCrunch
Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors
Harvard Business School has introduced a unique $699 startup bootcamp that employs AI avatars developed by HeyGen to deliver tailored feedback to participants. This eight-week program combines live sessions with traditional instructors while the AI avatars interact during practice pitches and board meetings. Initial responses are encouraging, highlighting the avatars' engaging potential despite some skepticism surrounding AI in educational contexts.
ExperimentConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 22 Aug 2026, 22:40 UTC1 min read
Visit original article ↗Lead image — TechCrunch
Summary
TL;DR
- Bootcamp costs $699 and lasts for eight weeks.
- AI avatars provide feedback during practice pitches.
- Instructors conduct live sessions weekly alongside avatars.
- New York Times journalist tested the AI avatar experience.
- Positive feedback received from early participants.
Interesting facts
- AI avatars were originally envisioned as chatbots.
- Participants preferred a more guided experience with avatars.
- Feedback indicates mixed feelings about AI among students.