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May 18, 2026
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Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Booed at Arizona Commencement over AI Remarks

AI Summary
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed by students at a University of Arizona commencement address when he discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on society and the job market.

The Backlash Against Eric Schmidt's AI Remarks

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced a hostile reception from students at a University of Arizona commencement address on Sunday, May 18, 2026. Schmidt, who led Google for over a decade and acquired a multi-billion dollar fortune, spoke to around 10,000 graduating students about the impact of modern technology on society.

Schmidt's Words on AI and Its Effects

Schmidt discussed the evolution of technology, from laptops to smartphones, the internet, and social media. He noted that while these tools were meant to connect people and add to human knowledge, they have also led to isolation and degradation of the public square.

  • Schmidt acknowledged that AI has unsettled young people, saying "That was not the plan, but it happened."
  • He recognized that students are fearful that AI threatens to deprive them of a future, saying "There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that the machines are coming, that the jobs are evaporating, that the climate is breaking, that politics are fractured, and that you are inheriting a mess that you did not create."

The Data Analysis: Student Anxiety and AI

A Pew Research Center study found that about half of Americans feel "more concerned than excited" about the increased prevalence of AI in their daily lives. This anxiety may be more pronounced in areas where technology can easily replicate information technology work, reshaping the workforce.

The Impact Analysis: Polarization and Job Market Fears

Schmidt's remarks struck a nerve with the students, who shouted and jeered when he discussed AI's potential to deprive them of a future. This reaction comes amid growing concerns about AI's impact on the job market and society as a whole.

The Prediction: Shaping the Future of AI

Schmidt encouraged students to adapt and shape how AI will be used in the future, rather than letting it shape them. He emphasized that the question is not whether AI will shape the world, but whether students will have shaped AI.

In contrast, Jensen Huang, Nvidia's CEO, recently told graduates at Carnegie Mellon University that there's no better time to "begin your life's work" than now, arguing that AI will be a net positive for humanity and create new opportunities for young people.