US Graduates React to AI at Ceremonies

Topic: AI

Sat 23 May 2026 at 4:51am

US graduates are sharing videos of themselves rejecting AI on social media. Many are booing AI at their graduation ceremonies.

It's graduation season in the US, and a new trend is emerging: graduates booing AI.

AI is not new, but as it becomes more common, people are opposing it more.

New graduates are worried about how AI will affect their job prospects.

Here are some examples of graduates rejecting AI on social media.

'The next industrial revolution'

A real estate executive gave a speech at a university ceremony and mentioned AI, which was met with boos.

She said AI is changing the world, but the crowd didn't like it.

She was booed when she said AI is the next industrial revolution.

The crowd cheered when she said AI wasn't a factor a few years ago.

A video of her speech was shared on social media.

A generation's 'rational fear'

A former Google CEO spoke at a university ceremony and was heckled when he mentioned AI.

The crowd was loud when he said AI would touch every profession and relationship.

He said AI will be everywhere, which made the crowd jeer.

He waited for the crowd to calm down before continuing his speech.

'A lesson learned'

A community college in Arizona used AI to read out graduate names, but it didn't work well.

The ceremony was last week, and a video of it has gone viral with over 9 million views.

The names of graduates didn't appear on the screen as they walked up to the stage.

A student said her name wasn't called out when she was on stage.

Instead, her name was called out several minutes later.

The college's president addressed the crowd after a long pause.

She said they were using a new AI system, which made the crowd jeer.

She said it was a lesson learned for them.

The president explained that graduates who had already walked up on stage wouldn't be able to do so again with their correct names.

Dozens of graduates were waiting to be called on stage.

After a few minutes of jeers, the president said those who hadn't walked on stage could do so with a human calling out their names.

The graduates were told to tell their names to a person at the stairs, who would announce their name into a microphone.

Some graduates and their supporters were already leaving the ceremony.

Many graduates took up the offer to appear on stage after being introduced by a human.

The ABC has contacted the college's president for comment.

What does this trend mean?

An expert says these videos don't necessarily mean people reject AI.

She thinks it speaks to anxieties about AI in higher education.

Students are frustrated with unclear guidance on AI usage.

Many people on social media point out the contradiction between banning AI and lecturing about its benefits.

What about people outside the university sector?

A senior lecturer says many young people are feeling AI fatigue.

AI is everywhere, and people are becoming more critical of it.

Some graduates are voicing their disdain for AI.

Going 'AI vegan'

Some students are critical of AI and refuse to use it.

A recent poll found negative attitudes towards AI among young Americans.

Despite this, many use AI daily or weekly.

What do graduates have against AI?

Many US university students think AI is a threat to their job prospects.

Big tech companies are using AI to replace staff, which is bad news for graduates.

AI is affecting entry-level positions in many fields.

It's not just about jobs, though.

AI has profound effects on the environment and tech companies' use of copyrighted material.

Navigating 'complex terrain'

Universities are still working out how to use AI appropriately.

Policies around AI are evolving, and it's complex terrain.

AI can either help or hinder students' learning and thinking.

There are unprecedented benefits and harms when it comes to AI.

AI can enhance thinking and creativity, but also stymie skill acquisition.

ABC with Associated Press

Sat 23 May 2026 at 4:51am

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