Graduates Boo AI During Commencement Speeches: A Reflection on Technology's Impact
Students Keep Booing AI During Commencement Speeches, and Honestly, They Might Be Right

Image: Vice News
During recent commencement ceremonies across the United States, graduates have vocally expressed their disdain for artificial intelligence (AI) through boos directed at speakers praising the technology. This backlash highlights the generational divide, with younger individuals perceiving AI as a threat to their job prospects and future, while older generations seem enamored with its potential benefits.
- 01Graduates at Glendale Community College in Arizona booed when an AI mismanaged the reading of their names during the ceremony, skipping many students entirely.
- 02Critics argue that older generations, particularly Boomers and Gen Xers, are overly enthusiastic about AI, viewing it as a solution to labor issues, while younger people see it as a threat.
- 03The article cites Drew Magary's observation that speakers promote AI for its future potential rather than its current benefits for everyday people.
- 04A school representative dismissed students' concerns about their names not being called, suggesting that the moment is more about photos than recognition.
- 05The author theorizes that older generations' fascination with AI stems from a desire for ease, a love for new technology, and a fetish for optimization over creativity.
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As commencement speech season unfolds, a notable trend has emerged: graduates across various colleges in the United States are expressing their discontent with artificial intelligence (AI) during ceremonies. This backlash was particularly evident at Glendale Community College in Arizona, where an AI voice mismanaged the reading of graduates' names, resulting in widespread boos from the audience. Critics argue that this reaction reflects a broader generational divide, with younger individuals viewing AI as a harmful force that threatens their job prospects and future opportunities. In contrast, older generations, particularly Baby Boomers and Generation X, seem enamored with AI, often praising its potential without acknowledging its current detrimental effects on the workforce. The article highlights commentary from Drew Magary, who notes that many speakers promote AI based on its future omnipresence rather than its practical benefits for everyday people. Furthermore, a school representative's dismissive response to students' concerns about their names not being called underscores a disconnect between the generations. The author speculates that older generations' fascination with AI may stem from a desire for convenience, a penchant for new technology, and a focus on optimization over genuine creativity and effort.
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The backlash against AI during commencement ceremonies signals a growing frustration among graduates regarding the technology's impact on their futures and job prospects.
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