MIT Technology Review’s latest take on the AI Hype Index has found that graduates are not exactly cheering for a bright AI-driven future. When former Google CEO Eric Schmidt addressed University of Arizona graduates, telling them to shape their AI-powered destiny, he received a chorus of boos. This echoed at other graduations, with similar reactions from the class of 2026.

Despite the collective groans, AI continues its rapid advancement, according to Stanford's 2026 AI Index, which highlights that we're struggling to keep up with AI's pace. Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon has taken a stance, urging women to embrace AI or face replacement by it.

The skepticism among graduates is partly driven by fears of job displacement and a dystopian future. Yet, OpenAI’s success in winning court cases, raising money, and launching new partnerships suggests that the reality of AI might be more complex than a simple cheer or boo.