Harvard Online Course Employs AI Clones of Faculty

Harvard Business School is using artificial intelligence to create digital replicas of its faculty for a new entrepreneurship program. The eight-week online bootcamp, named Foundry, aims to provide aspiring founders with guidance and resources for every stage of starting a company, from idea generation to pitching investors.

The core of the program features AI personas based on the teaching styles and expertise of Harvard faculty members. These digital clones offer students access to knowledge that would otherwise be geographically or logistically limited. While some faculty, like senior lecturer Jeff Bussgang, have described the AI simulation as "creepy," students have responded positively to the technology.

Foundry was initially conceived as a text-based tool, similar to ChatGPT. However, early user feedback and tests, which showed increased engagement when professor photos were added to chatbots, led to the development of the current version launched in April. While the AI instructors are modeled after real professors, they are not exact replicas and can draw from a broader knowledge base.

The course primarily targets prospective founders participating through university programs, with 760 students in its summer sessions. The bootcamp is also available for individual purchase at $699. User testimonials suggest the AI instructors have helped students gain new perspectives on their products and provided constant availability for advice. Other universities, such as Georgia Tech, have integrated Foundry into their entrepreneurship curricula to scale student guidance.