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Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, took the stage at the University of Arizona’s commencement ceremony on Friday. However, as he began discussing artificial intelligence, his words were met with boos from the audience. Given the current climate of uncertainty in the job market, it’s not surprising that graduates are expressing their concerns about AI, a topic that evokes strong feelings.
Schmidt recognized this anxiety, as reported by Business Insider, acknowledging that the worries surrounding AI—such as the fear of job losses, environmental crises, and a fractured political landscape—are understandable. Yet, his discomfort was evident as he fidgeted behind the podium, urging the crowd to allow him to finish his remarks.
Some attendees also expressed their discontent due to allegations of sexual misconduct against him from the previous year.
In his speech, he urged graduates with the phrase, “When someone offers you a seat on the rocketship, you do not ask which seat, you just get on.” Such remarks are closely aligned with his earlier assertion that AI is “underhyped.” This moment serves as a clear indication of Silicon Valley’s continued disconnect from public sentiment. Despite growing skepticism towards AI, corporations persist in integrating the technology into various facets of everyday life, often without consideration for consumer sentiment.
