Graduates boo Eric Schmidt's AI commencement speech

former google ceo eric schmidt faced audible hostility while delivering the commencement address at the university of arizona, where he tasked the class of 2026 with helping to shape the future of ai. schmidt paused his speech to tell the booing crowd, 'i can hear you,' and conceded that their fears regarding automation and a broken future were 'rational.' this incident is part of a broader trend where students at multiple universities, including the university of central florida, have jeered at pro-ai sentiments during graduation ceremonies. the negative reception highlights a sharp divide between the tech industry's enthusiasm for ai and the growing anxieties of the public.