During a recent commencement event at Glendale Community College near Phoenix, a significant issue emerged when graduates' names were mispronounced, and some weren't called at all as they walked to receive their diplomas. The college’s president, Tiffany Hernandez, attributed the mishap to a new AI system being used for the readings, which led to an uproar from the attendees. In a subsequent statement, the college acknowledged the technical difficulties and expressed regret for the references to the AI setup.
Graduations have seen a rising trend of negative reactions from students when speakers mention artificial intelligence. At the University of Central Florida's graduation on May 8, real estate mogul Gloria Caulfield characterized AI as "the next industrial revolution," prompting immediate disapproval from the crowd. "Looks like I hit a nerve," Caulfield remarked.
This pattern continued at Middle Tennessee State University, where record label executive Scott Borschetta encountered similar disdain on May 9 while asserting, "AI is rewriting production as we sit here." He urged students to "deal with it," stating AI is merely a tool and encouraging them to adapt.
The University of Arizona’s graduation on May 15 featured former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who was met with consistent booing as he declared, "The question isn’t whether AI will shape the world; it will." The disdain reflects a generational sentiment; many of this year's graduates, who encountered ChatGPT during their college years, are ambivalent about AI, recognizing both its potential and its pitfalls, including concerns over job displacement.
Maggie Simmons, who will graduate from the University of Denver next month, expressed her apprehensions about AI's societal impact. She highlighted its detrimental effects on the environment and minority communities, pointing out that AI language models can perpetuate systemic racism while data centers for these technologies often harm marginalized neighborhoods. "The focus should be on celebrating those earning degrees, not on artificial intelligence that poses a threat to job security," she emphasized.
Similarly, Kareen Gill, an American University political science graduate, conveyed her generation's growing disillusionment with AI. Initially excited about its possibilities, she now worries it jeopardizes job prospects and even noted a decline in available internships and entry-level jobs due to AI's encroachment. "It's evident that AI is disadvantaging us, yet older generations may not fully grasp how it could impact our futures," Gill stated.
A recent Quinnipiac University survey indicates widespread concern among different age groups regarding the implications of AI on employment. Significantly, 81% of Gen Z members believe that AI will reduce job opportunities. This finding suggests a notable divergence in perspectives, with younger individuals expressing skepticism about AI's role in the job market.
Chetan Jaiswal, an associate professor at Quinnipiac, remarked that while Americans aren’t outright rejecting AI, they are beginning to question it more critically as its effects become clearer. Gill further noted that her peers are increasingly aware of AI's broader ramifications, including the wealth inequality it exacerbates and its environmental toll. According to the same poll, only 5% of Americans feel that AI's development aligns with their interests, highlighting a growing disconnect between advancing technology and societal needs.
