Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced a cold reception during a speech at the University of Arizona graduation ceremony when he spoke about the benefits of artificial intelligence. Graduates entering the unstable labour market due to the introduction of AI loudly booed Schmidt’s words about the benefits of this technology. This was reported by Tom’s Hardware.
Eric Schmidt, who has worked for Google and Alphabet as CEO, chairman of the board, and technical advisor for several decades, spoke to several thousand students in Arizona about the impact of technology on young people and described the development of AI in a mostly positive way.
One of his main points was that everyone can now build their own team of AI agents that will help them complete tasks that were previously beyond the power of a single person. He also said that students will “shape artificial intelligence”, even if they “don’t care about science… because AI will eventually affect all areas of life.”
Schmidt’s address provoked a negative reaction from the students. At one point, he was even forced to stop as the cheering and booing intensified. Schmidt said that he could hear the audience’s reaction and understood that many people were afraid of AI. He noted that the younger generation feared that “their future was already written” and called these fears “rational”. Nevertheless, Schmidt did not back down from his position, stating that AI will “shape the world” and it will depend on young people to determine the direction it will take.
Students from other universities did not accept similar messages from other speakers. In particular, the University of Central Florida invited Gloria Caulfield, vice president of a large real estate development company, who called artificial intelligence “the next industrial revolution” in her speech. She was met with ridicule and dissatisfaction from the graduates.
Meanwhile, at Middle Tennessee State University, music manager Scott Borchetta said that artificial intelligence is “already changing the way we produce content”. Having received a negative reaction from the audience, he urged the audience to “get over it”.
The reaction of students at all these ceremonies showed that a significant number of graduates perceive optimistic statements about the role of AI in modern life with distrust and open protest. This is especially true when it comes to how AI is affecting the workplace.
A recent study has shown that the introduction of AI will soon change the balance of the labour market in favour of experienced employees and lead to the dismissal of junior specialists. In addition, according to the latest data, unemployment in the US IT sector is growing due to the introduction of artificial intelligence. One example was Snap, which laid off about 1,000 employees and replaced them with AI.
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