Commencement speakers want new graduates to feel optimistic about artificial intelligence — instead students are booing. New grads tell Josh Marcus that their fury about doddering policymakers and looming layoffs should be listened to.
The Unpopular Topic at Graduations
Across the country, commencement speakers face strong negative reactions from graduates when they discuss artificial intelligence. Examples include music executive Scott Borchetta and real estate executive Gloria Caulfield, who were booed for promoting AI as a beneficial tool or the 'next industrial revolution'.
Eric Schmidt's Booing Incident
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's speech at the University of Arizona on May 15th was met with continuous booing for several minutes. A student recalled an expletive-laden outburst from a peer. Schmidt's attempts to calm the crowd and emphasize AI's potential and the importance of diversity were unsuccessful.
Reasons Behind Student Anger
Students' discontent stems from multiple factors, including pre-existing campus protests against Schmidt due to his mention in the Epstein files (which did not suggest wrongdoing, and he denied sexual assault allegations from a former partner). More broadly, graduates feel that policymakers lack understanding or concern for their interests regarding AI, especially given that about half of new grads fear AI will reduce entry-level job opportunities.
AI's Negative Impact on Job Prospects and Academia
Graduates express frustration that AI is increasingly used in job applications, often bypassing human review, and fear it will eliminate their career prospects. One student described AI as coarsening academic thinking and causing distress when programs fail to provide desired answers, highlighting a disconnect between the university's message and students' lived experiences with AI.
Broader Discontent and Future Uncertainty
The anxiety around AI extends beyond graduation halls to Silicon Valley, where tech workers are experiencing layoffs, with some blaming AI for their job losses. Senator Josh Hawley echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for new technology to create jobs, not destroy them. Graduates like Bailey Ekstrom acknowledge AI's potential but feel like 'guinea pigs' in an unpredictable, AI-driven future, especially concerning long-term career paths like law.
