Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed by students as he spoke about the rise of artificial intelligence during his speech at University of Arizona's graduation ceremony, underscoring growing anxiety over AI's impact on jobs.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed multiple times Sunday while discussing artificial intelligence during a commencement speech at the University of Arizona

Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, faced jeers and boos during a commencement address at the University of Arizona's graduation ceremony on Friday.

University of Arizona students booed former Google CEO Eric Schmidt over AI job concerns, highlighting generational tensions about technology's impact.

A segment of the crowd started booing after the former Google CEO compared artificial intelligence to past technological revolutions. (YouTube/ The University of Arizona)

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed multiple times Sunday while discussing artificial intelligence during a commencement speech at the University of Arizona. Other commencement speakers faced similar backlash for their AI comments,

We reported on the booing of a speaker at the University of Central Florida last week, after they declared AI to be "the next industrial revolution" in front of the assembled students. However, that's nothing compared to the absolute barracking ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt received when speaking at the University of Arizona's 2026 commencement ceremony last Friday.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed during his commencement speech at the University of Arizona’s graduation on Saturday after sexual abuse allegations from his ex-girlfriend. Student groups at the university distributed fliers urging students to “turn their backs to the stage” or “boo” during the former executive’s speech.