CEOs of technology companies have a lot to manage, from earnings calls and board meetings to competition and employee morale.
In this era of AI, a “booing strategy” is also necessary.
This year, graduates heckled some executives during their commencement speeches after company leaders made optimistic comments about AI, reflecting growing anxiety among students preparing to enter the job market.
At the University of Arizona, students booed former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and at Middle Tennessee State University, Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta sparked a backlash after discussing the impact of AI on music and media.
So the hosts of the tech podcast Hardfork recently asked Google CEO Sundar Pichai what his “boo strategy” would be when he gives a commencement speech at Stanford University next month.
For Pichai, the challenge is real. He leads one of the companies driving the AI boom at a time when many graduates worry that technology will evaporate the jobs they’re about to take.
“I’m always very optimistic about the next generation,” he told the host. He says that’s no different with AI. “My goal is to share my experience and that’s what I want to do.”
“These graduates will actually play a huge role in driving that progress and addressing its impacts,” he added, referring to AI.
At Stanford University, in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to the most talked-about AI course in the country, Pichai may find a more friendly crowd.
Awareness of AI among the general public remains low. About half of Americans feel “more anxious than excited” about the increasing prevalence of AI in daily life, according to a Pew Research Center survey. On the other hand, many Americans across the country Resistance to new data centers This is essential for powering AI products such as chatbots.
At least 12 major companies are citing improved efficiency from AI as a factor in their performance. decision to dismiss an employee this year. and made by AI finding a job becomes more difficult By extending the interview process. The unemployment rate for new graduates reached a four-year high in early 2026.
Pichai told Hard Fork that people are “understandably” anxious about what kind of future the technology will create. “Humans haven’t evolved to handle that much change,” he said, adding that the scale of change is unlike anything the world has seen before.
Earlier this month, at Carnegie Mellon University’s commencement ceremony, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argued that AI will be a net positive for humanity, including those starting new careers.
“Now is the time to make your dreams come true,” he told the graduates. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”