Imagine getting instant feedback on your big presentation, not from a human, but from a lifelike digital version of your boss. That’s essentially what Harvard Business School (HBS) is offering in its new "Foundry" startup bootcamp, where participants interact with AI [Artificial Intelligence, computer programs designed to simulate human intelligence] avatars of instructors.
These aren't just fancy chatbots. The HBS Foundry program, which costs $699, uses these AI avatars to give feedback during practice pitches and mock board meetings. Think of it like a flight simulator for entrepreneurs. Pilots practice landing planes in a controlled, digital environment before they get into a real cockpit. Here, startup founders can practice their crucial business interactions with an AI that mimics the experience of a real HBS instructor, allowing them to refine their approach without the pressure of a live audience.
This move by HBS highlights a growing trend: using AI to personalize and scale learning. While other AI models like OpenAI's GPT or Google's Gemini can generate text or answer questions, HBS is taking it a step further by creating digital likenesses that can actively participate in a simulated learning environment. It's about bringing the expertise of top educators to more people, in a way that feels surprisingly human, even if it’s entirely digital.
The big question this raises is how we’ll see personalized AI tools integrate into even more areas of our lives. We’re moving beyond AI that simply provides information to AI that can coach, mentor, and even simulate complex social interactions. For you, this means thinking about where AI could offer a low-stakes practice ground for your own high-stakes situations, whether it's a job interview, a difficult conversation, or a new skill you want to master.
This kind of application shows how AI is moving from being just a tool for automation to becoming a sophisticated partner in skill development. It's not replacing human interaction entirely, but rather creating a safe space for repetition and refinement.
AI avatars are creating new ways to practice high-stakes situations in a digital sandbox.