Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and current CEO of Relativity Space, was met with boos from graduating students at the University of Arizona on Sunday during his commencement address, following remarks about artificial intelligence (AI) and its societal impact. Speaking to an audience of approximately 10,000 graduates, Schmidt touched on the evolution of technology from laptops to smartphones and social media, noting that while these tools were intended to democratize knowledge and foster prosperity, they have instead contributed to isolation and polarization.
Student Reactions to AI Fears
Schmidt acknowledged the anxiety among young people regarding AI, stating, "I know what many of you are feeling about that. I can hear you. There is a fear." He described a sense among graduates that "the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating, that the climate is breaking, that politics are fractured, and that you are inheriting a mess that you did not create." He called these fears "rational" and encouraged students to adapt and shape AI's future rather than be shaped by it. However, his remarks were met with jeers and shouting from the crowd.
Broader Context of AI Concerns
The incident mirrors a similar reaction at the University of Central Florida, where real estate executive Gloria Caulfield faced boos when she described AI as "the next Industrial Revolution." According to the Pew Research Center, about half of Americans feel more concerned than excited about AI's increasing presence in daily life. These fears are particularly pronounced in fields where technology can easily replicate information work, potentially reshaping the workforce.
In contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told Carnegie Mellon University graduates that now is the perfect time to begin their careers, arguing that AI will be a net positive, creating new jobs and industries. "AI is not likely to replace you, but someone using AI better than you might," he said. A University of Arizona spokesperson defended Schmidt's invitation, citing his "extraordinary" contributions to technology and innovation.
