University graduates boo former Google CEO Eric Schmidt over AI rhetoric

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was met with a chorus of boos from graduates at the University of Arizona during the Class of 2026 commencement ceremony. The reaction occurred after Schmidt urged the graduates to help shape artificial intelligence, a message that clashed with the celebratory tone typically expected at such events.

Schmidt acknowledged the negative reception, stating he could hear the boos and conceding that student fears regarding job displacement and a broken future were rational. This sentiment was echoed at other commencement ceremonies, including those at the University of Central Florida and Middle Tennessee State University, where similar jeers were recorded during AI-related speeches.

Despite the public skepticism expressed by students, the artificial intelligence sector continues to expand. OpenAI has secured legal victories, raised significant capital, and formed new partnerships, indicating that industry momentum persists despite the growing disconnect with the public.

The broader context of this technological shift is marked by rapid development and global infrastructure changes. Stanford’s 2026 AI Index indicates that AI development is accelerating, with observers struggling to keep pace. Meanwhile, China’s energy advantage is reshaping the global AI infrastructure race, with the country generating more than twice as much electricity as the US and adding significantly more renewable energy capacity.

In other developments within the sector, Reese Witherspoon has emerged as an unlikely supporter of AI, warning women to embrace the technology or risk being replaced by it. Additionally, Elon Musk remained composed during legal proceedings involving OpenAI, where the company’s lawyer questioned his motivations for suing the firm.