Speakers learn the hard way class of 2026 doesn’t want to be lectured on embracing AI
Speakers learn the hard way class of 2026 doesn’t want to be lectured on embracing AI
Publish Date: 2026-05-18 17:42:00
Source Domain: foxbaltimore.com
WASHINGTON (TNND) — For better or worse, artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize our lives, and even an AI chatbot will say young people aren’t thrilled about this.
For better or worse, artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize our lives, and even an AI chatbot will say young people aren’t thrilled about this. (TNND)
When asked, “How do young people feel about AI?” ChatGPT replied: “Young people — especially Gen Z — tend to have a mixed, often conflicted view of AI. They use it heavily, but many are increasingly skeptical about its long-term effects.”
It may have helped former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to know this before he spoke at the University of Arizona’s commencement ceremony last week. The tech legend was booed by graduates even before he took the podium — and it only got worse from there as he encouraged them to embrace AI.
“Today, we stand on this edge of another technological transformation, one that will be larger, faster and more consequential than what came before. It will touch every profession, every classroom, every hospital, every laboratory, every person and every relationship you have. I know what many of you are feeling about that. I can hear you,” Schmidt said between relentless boos.
At one point, Schmidt appealed to the graduates to allow him to continue his remarks.
“If you’d let me make this point please –” Schmidt said, cut off by more boos.
A week earlier, at a University of Central Florida commencement ceremony, graduates jeered real estate executive Gloria Caulfield’s statements on AI.
“The rise of artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution,” said Caulfield. Instantly met with booing, she appeared confused, turned to others onstage and asked, “What happened? OK, I struck a chord. May I finish?”
A few seconds later, the crowd booed again when Caulfield said, “AI capabilities are in the palm of our hands.”
According to ZipRecruiter, 47% of recent graduates said AI has already…
