JD Vance Tells U.S. Air Force Grads They Can't Boo His Commencement Speech Because 'I'm the Vice President of the United States'

Vice President JD Vance delivered the commencement speech at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on May 28, where he joked that graduates could not boo him because 'I’m the vice president of the United States.' His remarks came amid recent backlash against AI-focused graduation speeches, including boos directed at speakers like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and real estate executive Gloria Caulfield. Vance acknowledged growing public skepticism about AI’s influence on jobs, energy use, and societal changes but focused on its military implications. 'The thing I worry about most with AI is how it will change warfare,' he told the 900-plus graduates, many of whom were being commissioned as Air Force and Space Force officers. He cited concerns about outsourcing moral decisions to technology, aligning with Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, which warns against relying on digital systems for critical ethical choices. As a Marine veteran, Vance emphasized the unique responsibility of U.S. war fighters to balance military lethality with conscience. 'You are the ones who ensure that our lethality in war... coexists with our heart and with our conscience,' he said. His comments reflected broader tensions between technological advancement and ethical governance, particularly in defense. The speech also subtly referenced geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing war in Iran, which has caused thousands of casualties across the region. Vance’s stance contrasted with his earlier disagreements with Pope Francis over U.S. policies, including immigration and military interventions. While other speakers faced audience boos for discussing AI, Vance’s tone was more assertive, blending humor with serious warnings about technology’s role in modern warfare. His address highlighted the intersection of political leadership, military ethics, and public sentiment toward emerging technologies.