ON
← Back to feed
Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors
United States🏛️ PoliticsLean Conservative11 hr. ago

Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors

Harvard Business School has introduced AI avatars developed by startup HeyGen into its $699 eight-week Foundry bootcamp for entrepreneurs. These avatars provide personalized feedback during practice pitches and board meetings, replacing traditional instructor-led sessions. New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching to an AI-generated avatar of Jeff Bussgang, a co-founder of Flybridge Capital. Both the real Bussgang and his AI counterpart were critical of her idea for an 'Uber for bananas' concept, though the AI version exhibited a frozen smile. Project director Katharina Rings noted that initial expectations for the AI component were lower, akin to a chatbot, but students desired a more interactive experience. While some students express concerns about AI, Foundry participants generally seem to appreciate the avatars, despite Bussgang acknowledging the AI version feels somewhat 'creepy'.

An AI startup has produced a fully AI-generated feature-length film, marking a major milestone in artificial intelligence's ability to create complex visual media. The breakthrough was achieved by an unnamed startup, which used advanced generative models to craft a complete cinematic work without human involvement in the creative process. This achievement highlights the growing capabilities of AI in content creation and could reshape how entertainment is developed and consumed. The production of the AI-generated film came just weeks after another notable AI-related development involving Harvard Business School. The school partnered with a startup named HeyGen to integrate AI avatars into its $699 entrepreneurship bootcamp, known as the HBS Foundry. These avatars, designed to mimic the appearance and mannerisms of real instructors, serve as interactive tools for student engagement. Participants in the eight-week program engage in weekly live sessions with actual faculty members, but the AI avatars take over during practice pitches and simulated board meetings, offering immediate feedback. One participant, New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler, tested the system by pitching an idea to an AI-generated avatar of Jeff Bussgang, a co-founder of Flybridge Capital. Both the real Bussgang and his digital counterpart expressed skepticism toward Kessler’s proposal for an “Uber for bananas” business model. However, Kessler noted that the AI version of Bussgang displayed a somewhat unnatural, frozen smile during the interaction, suggesting that the technology still has room for improvement in mimicking human expressions convincingly. The project was led by Katharina Rings, who initially envisioned the AI component as a simple chatbot interface. But after the release of a trial version, students requested a more immersive and guided experience. This shift indicates a growing acceptance among learners of AI-driven educational tools, even as some critics remain skeptical about the role of artificial intelligence in academic settings. Despite concerns raised by some students regarding the ethical implications of AI in education, participants in the HBS Foundry program have generally embraced the technology. Bussgang himself admitted that his AI avatar feels slightly “creepy,” yet he praised the positive reception from his students. This mixed reaction underscores the ongoing debate around the integration of AI into traditional learning environments. Looking ahead, the success of these AI-driven initiatives suggests that the boundaries between human and machine creativity may continue to blur. As AI technologies become more sophisticated, they are likely to play an increasingly prominent role in fields ranging from entertainment to education. The recent developments highlight not only the potential of AI to transform industries but also the challenges and ethical considerations that accompany such advancements.

Go to the primary sources (5)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

4 reports

TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 756 days ago
Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors

Harvard Business School has introduced AI avatars developed by startup HeyGen into its $699 eight-week Foundry bootcamp for entrepreneurs. These avatars provide personalized feedback during practice pitches and board meetings, replacing traditional instructor-led sessions. New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching to an AI-generated avatar of Jeff Bussgang, a co-founder of Flybridge Capital. Both the real Bussgang and his AI counterpart were critical of her idea for an 'Uber for bananas' concept, though the AI version exhibited a frozen smile. Project director Katharina Rings noted that initial expectations for the AI component were lower, akin to a chatbot, but students desired a more interactive experience. While some students express concerns about AI, Foundry participants generally seem to appreciate the avatars, despite Bussgang acknowledging the AI version feels somewhat 'creepy'.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the AI avatars' implementation at Harvard Business School, discussing both student reactions and faculty perspectives. It does not take a clear ideological stance on AI adoption in education, nor does it emphasize any particular political agenda. The framing,雖

Why factuality (85): The article reports on Harvard Business School's use of AI avatars in a startup bootcamp, citing a specific startup (HeyGen) and details about the program structure ($699, 8 weeks). It includes quotes from a New York Times reporter (Sarah Kessler) and mentions reactions from both the real Jeff Bussg

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the story with a somewhat promotional tone, highlighting positive student reactions and quoting Bussgang's acknowledgment of the 'creepy' aspect. While not overtly biased, it frames the AI avatars as a novel and accepted tool, which may slightly skew the narrative toward innovat

Semafor logoSemaforIndependentCenterFactual 55Objective 6510 days ago
AI startup produces fully AI-generated feature-length film

An AI startup has created a fully AI-generated feature-length film, marking a significant milestone in the application of artificial intelligence to filmmaking. The project demonstrates the potential of AI to autonomously generate complex creative content, including scripts, visuals, and editing. This development raises questions about the role of human creativity in the industry and the ethical implications of fully automated content creation. While some experts view this as a breakthrough, others caution about the need for oversight and artistic intent in such works.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on technological innovation without overtly favoring any political ideology. It discusses the implications of AI in creative industries but does not take a clear stance on regulatory, ethical, or societal concerns, maintaining a balanced tone.

Why factuality (55): The article states that an AI startup has produced a fully AI-generated feature-length film. This aligns with emerging trends in AI creativity, though no specific startup or film is named, reducing verifiability. Cross-source consensus supports the general idea of AI generating creative content, but

Why objectivity (65): The tone is neutral, focusing on the achievement without overtly praising or criticizing the technology. However, the emphasis on 'fully AI-generated' may subtly highlight the novelty of the claim, introducing a minor element of promotional framing.

The Nation logoThe NationIndependentCenter11 hr. ago
Confessions of an AI Editor

This article reflects on the author's experience working at a literary services startup that uses AI tools for editing tasks traditionally performed by human editors. The founder of the company, an editor herself, viewed editing as primarily a matter of selecting content rather than engaging in the creative process. She developed an AI tool designed to handle the 'drudgery' of editing, allowing for quick and efficient processing of texts. The author describes the AI's ability to streamline editing tasks, such as parsing complex paragraphs and producing editorial memos rapidly. However, the article also hints at the ethical and professional implications of relying heavily on AI for such tasks, suggesting a tension between technological efficiency and traditional editorial values.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses the integration of AI in editorial processes within a literary services startup. While it touches on the impact of technology on traditional roles, it does not engage directly with political issues, policies, or figures. The focus is on workplace practices and technological use

The Atlantic logoThe AtlanticIndependent🔒Conservativeyesterday
Paul Claude Gigot: Why I Am Right About AI

The article titled 'Paul Claude Gigot: Why I Am Right About AI' published by The Atlantic features a piece by Paul Claude Gigot, likely a contributor or columnist, discussing his perspective on artificial intelligence. The content centers around Gigot's arguments in favor of AI, possibly addressing its benefits, potential applications, or challenges. As the article is presented as a personal opinion piece, it reflects Gigot's individual stance rather than a balanced analysis or consensus within the field. The lack of specific details in the provided text suggests that further reading would be necessary to fully understand the scope and depth of his arguments.

Bias read (Conservative): The article presents a pro-AI argument, which aligns with perspectives often associated with right-leaning viewpoints that emphasize technological progress and innovation. While the article does not explicitly reference political policies or debates, the framing of AI as a positive force with clear,

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories