I have high hopes for 2025 — and not just because I’ll finally dodge the “Under 25 Young Driver” fee when renting a car. That’s merely a bonus.
More importantly, there’s a collective energy humming across campus, from the conference rooms in Spangler, through the hallowed halls of Aldrich, all the way to the tennis courts near Shad. Perhaps it reflects the pervasive anxiety coursing through society at large — an undercurrent of unease that seems to define our time.
This anxiety isn’t inherently detrimental. History has shown us that discomfort often catalyzes transformative solutions, groundbreaking ideas, and extraordinary innovations. As I consider the developments unfolding in our world today, it’s no surprise that politics and artificial intelligence dominate the pages of this issue of The Harbus. These two monumental forces are simultaneously driving progress and presenting profound challenges, reshaping the future in real time.
McKinsey predicts that 2025 will be the year when “human-centered AI will have to earn its moniker,” echoing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s vision of AI agents entering the workforce this year. This duality of promise and uncertainty defines the present moment. There is much to inspire optimism, yet just as much to provoke reflection. In the first issue of the new year, The Harbus explores these complexities. From ethical leadership in the AI revolution to the future of AI in video game design and its role in data privacy and monetization strategies, these articles delve into the multifaceted ways AI is reimagining industries. Together, they dare leaders to navigate these advancements rationally while addressing the interconnected nuances of our global landscape.
Equally intricate are the ramifications of Donald Trump’s second inauguration as the 47th president of the United States. Opinions about the country’s trajectory vary widely, and The Harbus takes on several of these debates, examining economic and social disparities around the world, the election's ties to the Latino community, and strategies for addressing the U.S. housing shortage. These perspectives highlight the importance of engaging with diverse viewpoints to better comprehend the predicaments bestowed upon us. Ultimately, fostering civil discourse around contentious issues, no matter how polarizing, is essential for bridging divides, finding common ground, and crafting solutions that reflect the complexity of our shared needs.
My vision is for The Harbus to serve as a haven where ideas can take root, thrive, and bloom, nourished by the exchange of varied perspectives and a willingness to venture beyond the façade of certainty. Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world — a process that sparks clarity, ignites epiphanies, and deepens my understanding of the convoluted and enigmatic. I hope The Harbus becomes a place where others discover that same joy in writing and where readers not only encounter provocative discussions, but also tend to their own reflections. I can already see this materializing through pieces that contend with boredom, welcome stillness, and search for pockets of peace within chaos. We’ve been brought up in a world in which constant motion is a proxy for success, but sometimes the most profound growth happens in the pauses, where we can confront our thoughts, recalibrate our ambitions, and unearth mindsets that might otherwise be drowned out. I want The Harbus to be a space that encourages this introspection — a publication that doesn’t just report on life at HBS, but also prompts us to challenge what fulfillment truly means.
Like I said: high hopes for 2025. As I step into the Editor-in-Chief role, I extend my deepest gratitude to Tim Ford and Edouard Lyndt for their remarkable leadership over the past year. With the strong foundation they’ve built, I’m eager to carry forward The Harbus’s mission of championing thoughtful dialogue and amplifying the unique voices that distinguish our community.
Michelle Yu (MBA ‘26) is passionate about all things media, with experience in business news, documentary film, broadcast journalism, and television. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Film and Media Studies and worked for CNBC, NBC News, and CNN prior to HBS, along with projects for HBO, Showtime, Oxygen, and Spectrum.
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