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Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Booed Over AI Warning

5/19/2026

Summary

Schmidt Booed

Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, delivered the University of Arizona commencement on May 15, 2026, and was booed for mentioning artificial intelligence.
He told graduates he understood their rational fears about AI, jobs, climate change and politics, and warned that a deterministic view surrenders agency.
University of Arizona spokesperson Mitch Zak said Schmidt was selected for his extraordinary leadership and global contributions to technology, innovation and scientific advancement.

Summary

OpenAI Backs

OpenAI backs a U.S.-led global AI governance body that would include China.
Cisco plans to cut thousands of jobs as its AI strategy speeds up after an earnings beat.
A Pew Research Center survey shows most Americans feel more worry than excitement about AI’s expanding role.
Student activists have condemned Schmidt over a sexual-assault lawsuit by former partner Michelle Ritter, which he denies and a judge sent to arbitration.

Summary

Schmidt Warns AI

Schmidt said AI at OpenAI and Anthropic handles about 10-20% of programming tasks and will grow.
He said AI is under-hyped and its biggest impact will be automating corporate operations, not just coding.
He warned AI is moving from an assistant to replacing skilled programmers, raising job-security concerns.
Schmidt’s lawyer described the sexual-assault accusations against him as fabricated.

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Schmidt Booed

Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, delivered the University of Arizona commencement on May 15, 2026, and was booed for mentioning artificial intelligence.
He told graduates he understood their rational fears about AI, jobs, climate change and politics, and warned that a deterministic view surrenders agency.
University of Arizona spokesperson Mitch Zak said Schmidt was selected for his extraordinary leadership and global contributions to technology, innovation and scientific advancement.

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