NEW YORK — As credit union CEOs oversee increasingly larger operations and numbers of workers, making it more and more difficult to stay in touch with all employees, they may want to look to the example being set by chief executives at other organizations who are creating AI-powered versions of themselves to interact with employees, answer questions and extend their reach.
One example is Jeremy Allaire, CEO of the cryptocurrency and stablecoin company Circle, who developed what he calls the “Jeremy Allaire skill” — an AI agent trained on his podcast interviews, public writings and internal communications.
According to The New York Times, Allaire initially created the tool to help draft written communications. But after seeing how effectively it replicated his thinking and writing style, he expanded its use, making it available to more than 1,000 employees.
The AI version of Allaire allows employees to engage with a digital representation of the CEO before bringing questions or proposals directly to him, the newspaper reported.
A Broader Trend
According to the Times, the experiment reflects a broader trend in which business leaders, consultants, educators and entrepreneurs are using AI-generated chatbots and avatars to make their expertise more accessible while reducing demands on their time.
The New York Times reported that advances in AI have made creating digital replicas increasingly simple. Executives can train chatbots on their writings, interviews and other content, while AI video platforms can create avatars that mimic their appearance and voice.
Companies including Claude, Delphi, HeyGen and Synthesia offer tools that enable users to build text- and video-based digital doubles, the report explained.
Beyond Just Leadership
The trend extends beyond corporate leadership. The Times reported that consultants are directing clients to AI versions of themselves for guidance, while educators are deploying AI replicas in classrooms and virtual office hours, the Times report added.
Among those using the technology is consultant Alisa Cohn, whose clients have included companies such as Google, Microsoft and Pfizer. According to the Times, Cohn now refers some prospective clients to an AI version of herself when they cannot afford her services.
The newspaper also highlighted the case of Lenny Rachitsky, whose AI chatbot, known as “Lennybot,” handles roughly 100 conversations daily, answering questions and providing advice based on his body of work.
Some businesses see commercial opportunities in the technology. The Times reported that advisory firm IHL Group launched “Just Ask Greg AI,” a chatbot trained on founder Greg Buzek’s research that is available through a monthly subscription.
Virtual Stand-Ins
AI avatars are also emerging as virtual stand-ins for executives. According to the Times, cloud storage company Wasabi Technologies has used AI-generated executive avatars to deliver presentations, communicate with overseas teams in local languages and even appear at meetings when leaders could not attend in person.
The technology has also found a place in higher education. The Times reported that Harvard Business School launched an online entrepreneurship program that incorporates AI versions of professors. Students can interact with chatbot and video avatars trained on faculty expertise and Harvard research to receive coaching and practice investor pitches.
Despite the growing enthusiasm, some users have found that AI doubles are not a complete replacement for human interaction.
Not Everyone’s Favorite
The Times reported that Lou Shipley, who teaches hundreds of students annually, discovered that students still preferred meeting with him directly rather than relying on an AI version. Similarly, Adam Dorrell found limited demand for an AI clone he created to answer customer questions and provide advice.
Even supporters acknowledge limitations. AI avatars can still appear unnatural, and many users continue to value personal interaction over digital substitutes.
