Graduates boo AI talk at commencements as job worries grow

In short: Some 2026 graduates are pushing back on pro-AI commencement messages because they worry AI will make it harder to start their careers.

What's going on

At several 2026 graduation ceremonies, mentions of artificial intelligence, also called AI (computer systems that can produce text, images, or decisions), drew boos and jeers. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed at the University of Arizona after urging graduates to embrace AI. Similar reactions happened at the University of Central Florida and Middle Tennessee State University when speakers raised AI.

Not every AI message triggered backlash. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang appeared to face no visible dissent at Carnegie Mellon University when he said AI would help many industries and that graduates should learn to use it.

The tension is about jobs, not just technology. Many companies and executives describe AI as a way to get more work done with fewer steps. Many new graduates hear that and worry it means fewer entry-level roles, lower starting pay, or a slower path to stable work. Some also say they are discouraged or even penalized for using AI in school, so upbeat speeches about AI can feel out of touch.

Polls show the unease. An Axios Harris Poll cited in the coverage found about 42% of Gen Z think AI will hurt job opportunities and wages for their generation. Gallup data also shows only 43% of people ages 15 to 34 think it is a good time to find a job.

What to watch

So far, evidence suggests AI is changing hiring and job design, but it is not replacing workers at large scale yet. Reports have linked some layoffs at companies like Meta, Pinterest, and Block to automation or AI efficiency efforts, while new roles like “AI engineer” are growing. The key question is whether companies keep creating true starter jobs, or whether AI turns the first rung of the career ladder into a missing step.

Source: NYTimes