University of Arizona students booed Eric Schmidt when he began talking about AI at his graduation ceremony.
On May 15, 2026, the University of Arizona held its 162nd commencement ceremony. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivered a commencement address, but when he mentioned AI and employment, he was booed by the graduates.
University of Arizona students boo Eric Schmidt's AI cheerleading | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/932203/university-of-arizona-students-boo-eric-schmidt-ai-commencement
Wildcats celebrate end of an era at U of A commencement | Local News | kvoa.com
https://www.kvoa.com/news/local/wildcats-celebrate-end-of-an-era-at-u-of-a-commencement/article_68982ed9-35be-4481-ac6c-0b3cb088e65b.html
When Schmidt attended the graduation ceremony and gave a congratulatory speech, he said, 'You will be the ones who will shape AI,' which was met with boos from the audience, and these boos continued until he finished his speech.
You can see just how intense the booing was during Mr. Schmidt's congratulatory speech by watching the following video.
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Schmidt also said, 'Machines are coming. Jobs are disappearing, the climate is getting worse, and politics are becoming divided. And your generation will inherit chaos that you didn't create. It's reasonable to be afraid in such circumstances,' showing empathy for the negative emotions that the graduating students might feel as they enter society. However, the audience booed, forcing Schmidt to plead, 'Please listen to me until the end.'
Furthermore, it has been reported that some graduates booed Schmidt regarding the sexual assault allegations that surfaced in 2025.
31-year-old female entrepreneur accuses 79-year-old former Google CEO Schmidt of 'sexual assault, voyeurism, and surveillance' | Latest News | BANGER!!! (Banger) Movie love explodes!!!
https://www.banger.jp/news/156981/
In addition, it appears that the University of Arizona had also drafted a petition opposing the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Schmidt.
Furthermore, Gloria Caulfield, CEO of Tavistock Development Company, who gave a commencement address at the University of Central Florida's College of Arts and Humanities and Nicholson School of Communication and Media on May 8, 2026, also mentioned AI in her speech, which drew boos from the graduates.
University of Central Florida commencement speaker Gloria Caulfield was met with boos after calling AI “the next industrial revolution” during a May 8 ceremony
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