Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was the target of boos during a graduation speech at the University of Arizona on Friday (15), in the United States, when he addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market and society. The episode was reported by international media, including the websites NBC News and Business Insider.
According to reports published by the foreign press, Schmidt was reflecting on technological evolution from the emergence of personal computers to the popularization of the internet and social networks, when he stated that artificial intelligence represents a similar transformation. The comparison provoked a negative reaction from part of the audience, made up of students about to enter the job market.
During his speech, Schmidt acknowledged the new generation’s fears regarding automation and the replacement of jobs by machines. “There is a fear in your generation that the future has already been written, that machines are arriving and that jobs are disappearing,” he said, according to international coverage. Still, he advocated for young people to actively participate in the construction and regulation of AI.
Part of the demonstrations were also related to accusations of sexual harassment made against Schmidt by his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Ritter, according to information published by the website AOL. According to the publication, student groups distributed leaflets before the ceremony encouraging protests against the businessman’s presence as main speaker. Schmidt denies the accusations, which were referred to judicial arbitration in the United States.
Despite the boos, the University of Arizona stated, in a statement published by the international press, that it invited Schmidt due to his contributions to technology and innovation. The former executive ended his speech by saying that “the future is not yet defined” and that it is up to the new generation to shape the direction of artificial intelligence.
