Arabic version: الخريجون يعبرون عن استيائهم من الذكاء الاصطناعي خلال حفلات التخرج
Graduation season for universities across the US has taken a surprising turn as videos of graduates booing artificial intelligence (AI) have gone viral across social media platforms. This reaction highlights the increasing unease among new graduates regarding the impact of AI on their job prospects. According to ABC News, the trend appears to reflect a broader anxiety about the integration of AI into various professional fields.
One notable incident occurred at the University of Central Florida during a speech by real estate executive Gloria Caulfield. As she discussed the “profound change” that AI was creating, describing it as “the next industrial revolution,” she was met with a chorus of boos from the audience. This reaction underscored the skepticism surrounding AI’s role in the workforce, particularly among those soon to enter it.
Another example unfolded at the University of Arizona, where former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt faced heckling during his address. The crowd’s discontent peaked when he mentioned Time Magazine selecting the “Architects of AI” as its person of the year for 2025. Despite the interruptions, Schmidt continued, but the audience’s strong reaction highlighted their discomfort with the technology.
In a separate incident at Glendale Community College in Arizona, graduates experienced technical difficulties during the ceremony due to an AI system that failed to correctly announce their names. This mishap prompted a backlash from the audience, leading the college’s president Tiffany Hernandez to acknowledge the issue and note it as a “lesson learned” regarding AI’s reliability in such settings.
Experts suggest that these instances reflect a growing anxiety among students about their future in a labor market increasingly influenced by AI. A Harvard Kennedy School poll found that 70 percent of US university students think AI is a threat to them landing a job. As graduates navigate this complex landscape, their reactions may signal a need for clearer guidance on AI’s role in education and employment.
