During a recent graduation ceremony at the University of Central Florida, students made their displeasure known as a real estate development executive spoke about artificial intelligence. The crowd loudly booed when Gloria Caulfield described the rise of AI as the 'next Industrial Revolution' and mentioned 'living in a time of profound change.'
Reaction from the Stage
Caulfield paused, turned from the podium, and raised her hands in response to the booing. 'Woop, what happened?' she asked before laughing nervously. 'OK, I struck a chord. May I finish?' As the crowd quieted, she continued: 'Only a few years ago, AI was not a factor in our lives.' This comment drew applause, but when she later noted that 'AI capabilities are in the palm of our hands,' the booing resumed. 'Oh I love it, passion: let's go,' she said playfully.
Comparison to the Internet Era
Caulfield compared the current situation to her own graduation when the internet was emerging. 'I know it sounds amusing, but at that time we had no idea how any of these technologies would impact the world,' she said. 'There were some of the same trepidations and concerns we are now facing, but ultimately it was a gamechanger for global economic development.' The rest of her speech proceeded without interruption.
The boos reflect widespread anxiety among students about AI's impact on jobs. Graduating seniors worry about AI transforming or replacing roles across industries, from tech to graphic design and journalism. A 2025 poll by the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics found that a majority of recent graduates view AI as a threat to their job prospects.
The University of Central Florida did not respond to a request for comment.
