'Learn to read the room': ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the latest commencement speaker to get booed for mentioning AI

Date:
Tue, 19 May 2026 12:34:15 +0000

Description:
Graduation speakers keep on bringing up AI, and students continue to let
their feelings be known.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Eric Schmidt is the latest AI advocate to get booed by students The University of Arizona class of 2026 weren't impressed by his AI remarks There's been a growing backlash to the tech from graduates Less than a week after University of Florida students booed real estate executive Gloria Caulfield for mentioning AI at their commencement speech , ex- Google CEO Eric Schmidt has been given the same treatment for the same reason at the University of Arizona.

"You will help shape artificial intelligence," seems to be the line that the students took the most umbrage at, as per The Verge , though Schmidt also acknowledged the worries and fears that come along with AI including significant changes in the jobs market. Ex-Google CEO Gets Booed While Discussing AI in Commencement Speech | WSJ News - YouTube Watch On With Caulfield's address, it was the "artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution" line that got the loudest boos, while The Register reports on a similar reaction to mentions of AI at the Middle Tennessee State University by record producer Scott Borchetta. Latest Videos From You may
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It seems like the graduating class of 2026 really aren't ready to hear about the benefits of AI at the moment, and are much more concerned about an AI apocalypse arriving a worry driven by a rise in deepfakes, hallucinations, energy shortages, and out-of-control agentic bots. An 'insane message' to deliver Former CEO Of Google Receives Massive Backlash For Praising AI At Graduation from r/singularity Most of the online reaction to Schmidt's speech was negative. "Learn to read the room," advised one Redditor , while another described it as an "insane message" to deliver to new graduates who are being told that AI might take up all the jobs they're about to apply for.

For others , it's not that AI is inherently bad as a technology, but rather that AI companies and regulators aren't doing enough to help those who will
be negatively affected by it. There's a real concern that the rich will get richer and leave everyone else behind.

We're at an interesting crunch point where we've got AI companies
increasingly hyping up the technology, while many businesses struggle to use it effectively, and those who think they may be displaced by AI continue to rail against it. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

As for Schmidt's former company, Google, it's hosting its annual I/O show later today, and there should be a lot more AI packed into the announcements: if you want to hear what the future holds (and cheer or boo accordingly), you can follow along online . Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/learn-to-read-the-room-ex-go ogle-ceo-eric-schmidt-is-the-latest-commencement-speaker-to-get-booed-for-ment ioning-ai


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