If you’re giving a commencement speech in 2026, maybe don’t mention AI

If you’re giving a commencement speech in 2026, maybe don’t mention AI

If you’re giving a commencement speech in 2026, maybe don’t mention AI

https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/17/if-youre-giving-a-commencement-speech-in-2026-maybe-dont-mention-ai/

Publish Date: 2026-05-17 12:32:00

Source Domain: techcrunch.com

Here’s a respectful and generalized summary of the article with five key points:

– During commencement, speakers like Gloria Caulfield and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt encountered resistance from some students when discussing artificial intelligence (AI).
– Students expressed skepticism and even booing when AI was mentioned, reflecting broader anxieties about the impact of AI on the job market.
– Eric Schmidt faced additional challenges getting his point across as his speech coincided with protests about pending sexual assault allegations against him though he denied the accusations.
– Despite the pushback, some believe students’ pessimism extends beyond AI to broader fears about job security, climate change, and political instability.
– The speeches highlighted a recurrent theme of resilience, emphasizing that students must navigate an uncertain, complex future shaped by various, often unsettling, developments.

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