Even in the age of AI, ‘hard work still matters,’ Garber tells graduates — Harvard Gazette

For better or worse, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence coincided with the undergraduate years of the Class of 2026, Harvard University President Alan Garber said in his Baccalaureate address on Tuesday. It’s up to graduates to decide how to handle the situation, he said.

“It’s always worth the painstaking effort to reach new levels of understanding,” Gerber said. “In doing so, we not only celebrate the great human potential, but also enhance the meaning of our unique existence.”

In November 2022, just a few months after Harvard’s Class of 2026 began, the release of ChatGPT ushered in a new era of scientific discovery and productivity advances, along with job losses and new anxieties about the value of human labor. But Garber, who graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University 50 years ago, reminded the seniors and their loved ones gathered at the Tercentenary Theater that this is not the first time new technology has brought new anxieties.

He cited a 1903 opinion piece published in the Pittsburgh Gazette in which a writer — “someone you would now call an influencer” — was worried about tethered balloons in Switzerland that could take tourists to the heights of the Alps in just 10 minutes. With little effort, tourists gained such a spectacular view and looked down at the alpinists, who were struggling to climb the snow-covered mountain, with a sneer.

“Today we live in the age of balloons, where we can get a perspective in seconds instead of tens of minutes, and we eliminate the pain of ascent in favor of ease of flight,” Gerber said. “Of course, there are places that can only be reached by balloon; a landscape too complex and vast for humans to navigate, no matter how hard we try. If generative, agentic, or other forms of artificial intelligence can accelerate the pace of discovery and innovation, revolutionize the way we approach research, and lift humanity to greater heights, then working with wicker baskets may not only be wise, but necessary.”

Still, it is a challenge for all humans to decide which mountains are still worth climbing, he added.

“You have to decide for yourself what you want to know and what knowledge you’re not willing to give up for the promise of omniscience at the push of a button,” he said. “Effort is still important.”

Garber’s third speech was delivered under the crimson banners and dappled shade of oaks and elms at the Tercentenary Theatre. The Baccalaureate system dates back to Harvard University’s first commencement ceremony in 1642 and continues the tradition in which graduates heard from their president and clergy. Today’s service will feature speeches from the president and comments from faith leaders from many traditions, as well as scripture readings and prayers by students. The service included readings from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Salish traditions.

The Rev. Matthew Ichihashi Potts, Ph.D.’13, Plummer Professor of Christian Ethics and Rev. Pusey of Memorial Church, said it’s not the reading of the Bible that makes worship sacred. Rather, it brought together students from so many different parts of the world and from so many different backgrounds and traditions.

“You are here today because you are the descendants of generations of people from all over the earth who have survived poverty, immigration, persecution and liberation. You are here today because you are able to sit here this day,” Potts told the graduates. “You are the answer to their hopes and prayers. You fulfill the dreams of your ancestors.”

Rabbi Jason Rubenstein ’04 echoed Potts’ call to those who came before him. Rubenstein, executive director of Harvard Hillel, recalled walking into Harvard Yard for the first time 26 years ago. He saw surprise on his father’s face. Father Nathan Rubenstein could never have imagined what his sacrifice as a Polish immigrant caring for his sons under difficult circumstances would make possible.

“There’s a Nathan Rubenstein in each of you, whether you know it or not,” he said. “Perhaps more importantly, each of you will be a Nathan to those who come after you.”

The Rev. Monica Sanford, assistant dean of interfaith missions and lecturer in missiology at Harvard Divinity School, reminded students of the Buddha’s teaching that “those who desire happiness must work for the welfare of others.”

“In their happiness, we find our own happiness, because in their freedom we find our own freedom. A happy and free person wants nothing more than to harm nothing and help others find happiness and freedom,” she said.

Garber concluded his speech by urging this year’s graduates to set out with their eyes wide open, determined to forge their own path, and wise enough to know when it’s time to change their path.

“May the future be kind to you as you are kind to each other,” he said.