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HARVARD'S $699 BOOTCAMP USES AI AVATARS AS INSTRUCTORS

AI DESK1 MIN READ
SAT, AUG 22, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

Harvard Business School's HBS Foundry program now deploys AI avatars of instructors to provide feedback during startup pitch practice and board meetings. The bootcamp costs $699 and incorporates the avatars alongside traditional instruction.

The HBS Foundry program integrates AI-powered instructor avatars to scale feedback delivery for startup founders. During practice pitches and simulated board meetings, participants receive real-time input from the digital avatars, which are modeled after actual instructors. The move reflects broader adoption of AI in business education, allowing programs to provide personalized coaching at higher volumes. The $699 price point positions the bootcamp as accessible professional development for early-stage entrepreneurs. Harvard has not disclosed specific details about the avatar technology or how it compares to human instructor feedback. The program continues to employ traditional teaching methods alongside the AI component. Other business schools have experimented with similar AI-assisted learning models, though Harvard's implementation with instructor avatars represents a more direct integration into core curriculum delivery.

■ SOURCES

TechCrunch

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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