Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt's AI-heavy graduation speech goes badly as graduates drown him out with boos

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Coverage diverges in the framing of Schmidt's speech and the students' reactions. Gizmodo emphasizes the predictability of the backlash, framing it as a failure to connect with the audience, while TechSpot presents a more neutral account…

May 18, 2026 · 10:20 AM UTC ·3 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 40 views

#ex-google #eric #schmidt #ai-heavy #graduation

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. A hot potato: Just because AI is becoming prevalent doesn't mean it's becoming more accepted. For the second time in the space of a week, someone who spoke about the technology during a university graduation ceremony was met with a chorus of boos.

Key facts

▪TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust.
▪A hot potato: Just because AI is becoming prevalent doesn't mean it's becoming more accepted.
▪For the second time in the space of a week, someone who spoke about the technology during a university graduation ceremony was met with a chorus of boos.

How this story was covered

4 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 43 hours. Coverage spans 2 points on the political spectrum — 1 lean left, 2 centre.

Lean left · 1Centre · 2

▪ 'Learn to read the room': ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the latest commencement speaker to get booed for mentioning AI — TechRadar
▪ Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt booed by graduates at mention of AI — BBC News — World
▪ Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Fails to Read Room on AI. Gets Booed to Oblivion — Gizmodo

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Original publisher	TechSpot
Canonical URL	https://www.techspot.com/news/112432-ex-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-ai-heavy-graduation.html
Publication time	Mon, 18 May 2026 05:20 -0500
Retrieval time	2026-05-18T10:24:56.131Z
Last seen	2026-05-18T10:24:57.116Z
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Publisher visit	Yes — open original
Substitutes article?	No — link-out required for full text

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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

Tech Culture AI eric schmidt students Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt's AI-heavy graduation speech goes badly as graduates drown him out with boos Schmidt's attempt to sell students on AI followed another boo-filled commencement speech days earlier By Rob Thubron May 18, 2026, 5:20 34 comments Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. A hot potato: Just because AI is becoming prevalent doesn't mean it's becoming more accepted. For the second time in the space of a week, someone who spoke about the technology during a university graduation ceremony was met with a chorus of boos. On this occasion, the speaker was none other than former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

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