Technology companies are going all out when it comes to AI. However, public support for AI seems to be lacking. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was probably trying to stir excitement among students at last Friday’s graduation ceremony at the University of Arizona. But looking at the clips of the speeches, it seems like the students have no intention of joining the AI bandwagon. Instead, Eric was booed by the crowd every time he said the word AI.
In a video circulating online, Eric Schmidt, who was invited to be a commencement speaker, can be seen trying to make a point about AI. In one clip, Eric says, “The question is, can you help shape artificial intelligence?” But his speech was drowned out by boos from the crowd. Google’s former CEO tries to patiently deal with negative reactions, asking, “If you’d like me to make this point, please.”
But the students don’t seem to want to listen. The boos continued and Eric had no choice but to wait.
It may not be surprising that incidents like this occur. There are growing concerns that AI will replace entry-level jobs in the future. Research shows that companies are currently less willing to hire entry-level employees. Many companies then implemented mass layoffs, affecting thousands of workers.
Eric accepted that his students were afraid. “I hear it. There’s fear,” he said. He said the fear was reasonable, but encouraged students to become more involved in AI development. Unfortunately, his words probably didn’t convince the crowd.
Eric Schmidt pauses mid-speech due to loud boos
Eric Schmidt tried to stick to his speech, but at some point he seemed to lose patience with the students as the boos continued to get louder. Google’s former CEO decided to turn a blind eye and turn a blind eye until he started talking again.
And this set the tone for the rest of the speech. Schmidt tried to pick up some points, especially when taking chances. “If someone offers you a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask which seat you want to sit in. Just get in. The rocket ship is here,” he said. The students simply weren’t happy.
At one stage, Eric just said, “Let me give you some advice. First, find a way to say yes.”
After a rather eventful speech, Schmidt concluded with a few lines about happiness. “I have come to believe that happiness is not the same as joy. Happiness comes from meaning. Meaning in work. Meaning in relationships,” he said.
Notice how Eric tries to keep a smile on his face throughout his speech despite the continued negative reactions from the crowd.
Students protest Eric Schmidt over sexual assault allegations
But the AI wasn’t the only reason Eric struggled during the ceremony. According to Business Insider, some students also spoke out against Schmidt over sexual assault allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Ritter. Ritter, now 32, met Eric Schmidt, 71, in 2020.
According to the Arizona Daily Star, student advocacy groups asked attendees to “turn their backs to the stage” when Eric appeared. Students were also encouraged to boo the former Google chief executive to “make it clear that the University of Arizona and the larger community we represent, both in Tucson and beyond, do not support platformed abusers.”
Eric’s lawyer told Business Insider that the accusations are “trumped up.” In March of this year, a judge ordered the case to be resolved through arbitration.
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