Read the room, speakers.
It’s 2026, and if you’re standing at a podium addressing a graduating class, there’s one topic you might want to reconsider: artificial intelligence. TechCrunch recently highlighted this sentiment, noting that getting students excited about an AI-shaped future is proving difficult. This isn’t just about a few grumpy graduates; it reflects a broader skepticism and even outright rejection of AI’s perceived benefits by those entering the job market.
The Boo Birds of 2026
Imagine this scene: a commencement speaker, perhaps well-meaning, waxing poetic about AI being the next industrial revolution. Instead of applause, they’re met with loud booing. This has happened at multiple university ceremonies in 2026. It suggests a significant disconnect between what some speakers believe graduates want to hear and the actual anxieties these students harbor.
As someone who builds smart bots and works with AI’s nuts and bolts every day, I understand the technical marvels. I see the potential for new tools, for automating repetitive tasks, and for creating truly helpful systems. But I also understand the human element. For a graduating student, hearing about AI isn’t always about new opportunities; it’s often about job displacement and an uncertain future.
Beyond the Hype
The advice to avoid mentioning AI reflects a cautious approach. It acknowledges that the impact of AI on future job markets is controversial. Graduates are not buying into the idea that AI is an unmitigated good. They’ve spent years preparing for careers, and now they’re told a machine might do it faster, cheaper, or even better. It’s hard to blame them for their skepticism.
From my perspective at ai7bot.com, building bots involves a lot of practical problem-solving. We focus on tutorials, code, and architecture. We see how AI can augment human capabilities, not always replace them. But that nuance often gets lost in broader discussions, especially when presented from a lofty commencement stage.
What Speakers Are Missing
One commenter humorously suggested a speaker might as well say, “Congratulations graduates! You’re all obsolete!” While a hyperbole, it captures the underlying fear that many students feel. They’re not necessarily anti-technology, but they are wary of a future where their skills are devalued before they even begin their professional lives.
What should a speaker talk about instead? Ideastream Public Media’s Executive Editor Mike McIntyre crowdsourced advice for the Class of 2026. The responses likely centered on timeless themes: perseverance, adaptability, building connections, finding purpose, and contributing to society. These are themes that resonate regardless of technological shifts. They speak to the human experience, which, for all its advancements, A
A Builder’s Take
For us in the bot-building community, this trend serves as a reminder. When we develop new AI systems, we need to consider not just their technical elegance but also their societal implications. How will they affect people’s livelihoods? How can we design them to be assistive rather than purely substitutive? These aren’t easy questions, and the answers aren’t always clear.
The reaction from graduates isn’t just a sign of negativity; it’s a demand for transparency and a more honest conversation about the future of work. It’s a call for leaders to acknowledge the challenges alongside the potential. So, if you’re planning a speech in 2026, perhaps skip the AI cheerleading. Talk about resilience, about critical thinking, about the uniquely human qualities that no algorithm can yet replicate. Talk about the world they’re inheriting, with all its complexities, and how they can shape it, rather than just be shaped by it.
The future is still being written, and graduates want to be the authors, not just the footnotes to an AI-driven story.
đź•’ Published: