Arizona students boo former Google CEO Eric Schmidt as he talks about AI during graduation speech

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivered the University of Arizona’s commencement address, where he addressed AI’s transformative impact on the global workforce. Students booed repeatedly as Schmidt acknowledged their fears about job losses, climate change, and political instability, calling these concerns 'rational' but stressing the need for graduates to influence AI’s development. He noted that while AI automates tasks—leading companies like Klarna and IBM to cut entry-level positions—it also creates opportunities for those who adapt. Schmidt criticized unintended consequences of technology, including polarization and generational anxiety, stating that no one planned for AI to 'unsettle a generation of young people.' He urged graduates to reject the idea that the future is predetermined by machines, emphasizing their role in shaping AI’s ethical and practical applications. 'The question is not whether AI will shape the world,' he said. 'The question is whether you will have shaped artificial intelligence.' The boos also stemmed from sexual assault allegations against Schmidt, settled in arbitration earlier this year, though his attorney called the claims 'fabricated.' The university defended its invitation, citing Schmidt’s contributions to tech innovation and philanthropy, including partnerships supporting research at the institution. A recent Pew Research Center study found half of Americans feel more concerned than excited about AI’s growing presence in daily life. Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered a similar graduation speech last week at Carnegie Mellon, though his focus leaned more toward AI’s potential as an opportunity rather than a threat. Schmidt’s address underscored the tension between technological progress and the anxieties of a workforce increasingly reliant on automation.