
Harvard Business School's HBS Foundry bootcamp integrates AI avatars from startup HeyGen to provide feedback on practice pitches and board meetings, offering a guided experience alongside live instructor sessions.
AI-generated summary
Harvard Business School's expansion efforts include innovative educational tools.
Harvard Business School seeks to expand its reach by leveraging AI avatars for personalized feedback in its eight-week, $699 HBS Foundry bootcamp. Developed by startup HeyGen, these avatars provide feedback during practice pitches and simulated board meetings, complementing weekly live instructor sessions.
New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching an AI-generated concept for "Uber for bananas," receiving unimpressed feedback from both the AI avatar of Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang and the actual Bussgang. Notably, the AI avatar displayed a "frozen smile" during the pitch.
Project director Katharina Rings initially envisioned a chatbot-like experience but shifted towards more guided interactions based on student feedback after a trial version was released.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Increased adoption of AI feedback tools in similar programs
Likely · Within months

Grassroots groups are campaigning against Flock Safety's automated license plate readers due to privacy concerns. While about 100 cities have cut ties with the company, competitors like Axon are positioning themselves to replace Flock's surveillance infrastructure.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL offers iterative hardware updates, including a new LED notification light and improved camera sensors. While features like the AI-powered 'Rambler' dictation tool impress, the device faces criticism for price hikes and reduced RAM.

A new study by Guidelight AI Standards indicates that major AI labs, including Anthropic and Meta, lack transparent containment plans for rogue AI. OpenAI ranked highest among peers, though all labs face scrutiny as agentic AI deployment increases operational risks.

London startup Inherent, founded by Google DeepMind alumni, has unveiled Faraday, an AI agent capable of independently replicating scientific paper findings. Using a 27-billion parameter model, it outperformed larger systems from Anthropic and OpenAI.

OpenAI advocates for amendments to California's SB 53 AI safety bill, proposing stricter monitoring and cybersecurity measures, despite initially opposing the bill.

The Pebble Time 2, a rebooted indie smartwatch by founder Eric Migicovsky and Core Devices, offers a retro-inspired, community-driven alternative to mainstream smartwatches with its e-paper display, long battery life, and extensive library of user-created apps.