- Eric Schmidt is the latest AI advocate to be booed by students
- University of Arizona Class of 2026 Not Impressed by His Comments on AI
- There has been a growing backlash against technology from graduates.
Less than a week after University of Florida students booed real estate executive Gloria Caulfield for mentioning AI in her commencement speech, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt received the same treatment for the same reason at the University of Arizona.
“You will help shape artificial intelligence” seems to be the line that most outraged students, according to The Verge, although Schmidt also acknowledged the concerns and fears that come with AI, including significant changes in the job market.
Look
With Caulfield’s speech, it was the line “artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution” that received the loudest boos, while The Register reports a similar reaction to mentions of AI at Middle Tennessee State University by record producer Scott Borchetta.
It seems like the Class of 2026 isn’t really ready to hear about the benefits of AI right now, and is much more concerned about the coming of an AI apocalypse, a concern fueled by a rise in deepfakes, hallucinations, energy shortages, and runaway robot agents.
A ‘crazy message’ to deliver
Former Google CEO Gets Massive Backlash For Praising AI At His r/singularity Graduation
Most of the online reaction to Schmidt’s speech was negative. “Learn to read the room,” one Redditor advised, while another described it as a “crazy message” to deliver to new graduates who are told that AI could fill every job 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 is a real concern that the rich will get richer and leave everyone else behind.
We are at an interesting tipping point where AI companies are increasingly promoting the technology, while many companies struggle to use it effectively, and those who think they may be displaced by AI continue to protest against it.
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 in the announcements: If you want to hear what the future holds (and cheer or boo accordingly), you can follow along online.
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