Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt booed at Arizona U commencement speech

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/18/eric-schmidt-ai-university-commencement-speech-booed

by simonebrunozzi • 2 months ago

67 17 2 months ago

theguardian.com

thot_experiment• 2 months ago

the kids are alright

_345• 2 months ago

It doesn't sound like he was booed, more like the topic of AI was booed when mentioned

egorfine• 2 months ago

The insurmountable divide between the rich people's infantilism and real life struggles is what was booed.

mpalmer• 2 months ago

Have we found the people who forced poor Eric to say those things about AI?

cyanydeez• 2 months ago

Yeah, why would these ultra wealthy not care about the social system in America that's been degraded to the point where when they mention AI taking all the jobs people are not greatful that they'll be replaced!

So bizarre!

antfarm2• 2 months ago

The part of his speech that I found most offensive was:

"When someone offers you a seat on the rocketship, you do not ask which seat. You just get on. [...] Find a way to say yes."

In my understanding, that's the billionaire class telling you where your place is in their plan for the world. Nobody asks if you even want to leave the planet, figuratively speaking.

The last sentence in particular shows the contempt he has for the students in the audience, and is reminiscent of another (alleged) incident: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/tried-to-convince-me-i-...

The quoted part of the speech can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MYggR_PPRg

sitkack2• 2 months ago

When someone demands you go to Epstein Island you swim if you have to.

This is the same guy that is testing autonomous murder drones in Ukraine to make his next billion.

So much let them eat cake energy with this guy.

somelamer567• 2 months ago

You're not serious, are you? Who is being "murdered" in Ukraine? Do those people have any right, or any business to be there? Whose country is Ukraine anyway?

JumpCrisscross2• 2 months ago

that's the billionaire class telling you where your place is in their plan for the world

The interesting thing is the advice isn’t terrible. The speaker, however, has no right delivering it.

wccvw• 2 months ago

What delulu-land do you live in where the advice is not terrible?

antfarm2• 2 months ago

I find his advice rather terrible to be honest. Accepting AI and integrating it deeply into your work and life so you won't be among those made obsolete by AI will accelerate exactly that replacement process even further. Looks a lot like a new variant of self-fulfilling prophecy.

signa11• 2 months ago

reminds me of c.m. kornbluth’s ‘march of the morons’ , highly recommended.

ChrisArchitect• 2 months ago

2 day old news OP;

[dupe]

The American Rebellion Against AI Is Gaining Steam

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48188310

Eric Schmidt booed at University of Arizona after praising AI

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48172419

Students boo commencement speaker after she calls AI next industrial revolution

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48096674

Multiple commencement speakers booed for AI comments during graduation speeches