Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was met with boos from graduates at the University of Arizona's commencement ceremony on Sunday after addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on society. Speaking to an audience of up to 10,000 students, Schmidt acknowledged fears that AI could threaten jobs and exacerbate societal divisions.
Schmidt traced the evolution of technology from laptops to smartphones and social media, noting that while these tools were intended to democratise knowledge, they have also isolated people and degraded public discourse. He said that information technologies, including AI, had unsettled young people, adding: 'That was not the plan, but it happened.'
The booing intensified when Schmidt acknowledged graduates' fears about AI replacing human workers. 'There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating,' he said. He encouraged students to adapt and shape AI's future use rather than be shaped by it.
Similar reactions have occurred at other US commencements. At the University of Central Florida, students booed real estate executive Gloria Caulfield when she described AI as the 'next Industrial Revolution.' At Carnegie Mellon University, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told graduates that AI would create new jobs and industries, stating: 'AI is not likely to replace you, but someone using AI better than you might.'
Pew Research Center data shows about half of Americans feel more concerned than excited about AI's increasing prevalence. A university spokesperson defended Schmidt's invitation, citing his 'extraordinary' contributions to technology and innovation.
