During the 2026 commencement season, some speakers discovered that talking about artificial intelligence (AI) at graduation ceremonies can provoke strong reactions from students.

At the University of Central Florida, real estate executive Gloria Caulfield highlighted the 'profound change' brought by AI, calling it 'the next industrial revolution.' Instead of applause, her remarks were met with a mix of boos and cheers, reflecting a polarized response.

Similarly, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced student criticism at the University of Arizona, with booing occurring even before his speech due to past allegations and continuing when he discussed AI's role in shaping the future.

Not all mentions of AI drew negative responses, however; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang spoke at Carnegie Mellon without incident, emphasizing AI's transformative impact on computing.

Experts note that students’ reactions may be fueled by economic uncertainty, with a Gallup poll showing only 43% of young Americans believe it’s a good time to find local jobs, compared to 75% in 2022.For many, AI symbolizes both opportunity and anxiety, reflecting broader concerns about jobs, capitalism, and the future.

Even when AI was not mentioned, the theme of resilience was common in speeches, as speakers acknowledged the challenges students face in inheriting societal and environmental issues.