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Gen Z's AI backlash is getting louder - Business Insider
By Roya Shahidi You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. A protester holds up an anti-AI sign as William Savitt, the attorney representing OpenAI, speaks during a news conference outside federal court. Bloomberg/Getty Images Commencement speakers have been booed for their advice on AI, revealing a backlash against the tech. Some Gen Zers' excitement about AI has declined, with a recent survey showing rising anger. AI anxiety is affecting culture, too, sparking a shift toward old tech and going analog. Corporate America and Silicon Valley have been taught a new lesson: don't praise AI during a commencement speech unless you're OK with getting booed at by students. AI anxiety is growing and, in some cases, it's boiling over into public backlash. The 2026 graduation season has seen speakers at commencement ceremonies, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta, get booed when they mention AI. This backlash is highlighting a gulf between people who feel technology offers new opportunities and the Gen Z audience, which is growing increasingly anxious about what AI means for their future.Fear of AI taking jobsThere is evidence that some Gen Z attitudes toward AI have grown increasingly negative.A survey from earlier this year, conducted by the Walton Family Foundation, GSV Ventures, and Gallup, and sampling 1,572 14‑ to 29‑year‑olds, found that Gen Z's excitement toward AI has dropped 14% over the past year, while feelings of anger toward these tools have risen. I attended the University of Arizona commencement ceremony, where Eric Schmidt @ericschmidt faced boos throughout his speech.If you don’t know how young graduates feel about AI, this post is for you.The message is clear: it reflects growing skepticism toward AI narratives… pic.twitter.com/zVKMqCSrVF— Christina Kueppers, LL.M in IP & Technology Law (@cvkueppersbooks) May 16, 2026 The grad job market has steadily worsened since 2023 after a hiring surge in the years immediately after the pandemic.Some recent grads have told Business Insider they have been searching for months for full-time jobs after college, and resentment has been brewing among young people who chose their majors before the rise of generative AI.That frustration has likely only deepened as companies increasingly cite AI as a reason for layoffs.A survey conducted by AI company Writer and research firm Workplace Intelligence, publishe...
Contradictions in Gen Z's Relationship with AI Unveiled
Students Boo AI Advocates at Commencement Ceremonies In a striking display of their ambivalence towards artificial intelligence, college students have expressed vocal discontent at commencement ceremonies when speakers celebrated the technology. For instance, at the University of Arizona’s graduation ceremony, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced a chorus of boos when he remarked on AI’s inevitable role in shaping the future. He stated, “The question is not whether AI will shape the world. It will,” which prompted a strong reaction from the audience. Similarly, Gloria Caulfield, a real estate executive at the University of Central Florida, was met with jeers when she proclaimed, “The rise of artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution.” An audience member even shouted, “AI sucks.” Key Takeaways Students express vocal opposition to AI at graduation ceremonies. Despite their discontent, a significant portion of students use AI tools for academic purposes. Concerns about cheating have prompted universities to adapt their evaluation methods. Cognitive dissonance is prevalent among students regarding AI usage and its implications. Anxiety about job security is driving students to use AI, despite recognizing its potential downsides. Widespread AI Adoption Amidst Backlash However, this public disdain for AI does not reflect the complete picture of the graduating class's relationship with the technology. According to the Lumina Foundation-Gallup 2026 State of Higher Education study, 57% of U.S. college students reported using AI tools weekly for their coursework, while 20% utilized these resources on a daily basis. This stark contrast raises questions about the motivations behind their discontent. Many students are resorting to AI tools, sometimes even for dishonest purposes. Jacob Shelley, an associate professor of health law at Western University, noted unusual patterns in his students' exam results, which led him to suspect widespread cheating using AI. “The results were anomalous,” he said, highlighting that 8% of his class achieved perfect scores on a multiple-choice exam, while the essay responses were often unrelated to the material covered in class. Academic Institutions Respond to Cheating Concerns In light of the increasing incidence of AI-aided cheating, prestigious institutions like Princeton University have taken measures to adapt. Recently, Princeton faculty voted to revoke a 133-year-old honor code and to implement proctoring for al...
'What happened?': Why Gen Z workers are revolting against AI
A poorly received commencement speech made by a real estate executive in the US has shown just how quickly young people are turning against AI.
Gen Z vs AI, why young workers are rejecting artificial intelligence
Why young workers are revolting against artificial intelligence Gen Z and AI backlash A graduation speech at the University of Central Florida went off script when thousands of students booed a guest who called artificial intelligence the next industrial revolution.
