Google CEO Pichai Says Skeptical Graduates Will Shape AI's Future and Live with Consequences

25 May 2026 · Source balance: Centre

Google CEO Sundar Pichai is preparing to deliver Stanford University's commencement address next month as graduates across the country increasingly voice anxiety about AI's impact on employment. Several executives have been booed at recent graduation ceremonies for making optimistic remarks about artificial intelligence, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at the University of Arizona. Speaking on the technology podcast Hard Fork, Pichai acknowledged people are rightfully anxious about AI, saying humans aren't evolved to process such rapid change. He maintained optimism about the next generation while noting that graduates will both drive AI progress and deal with its impact. The backlash reflects real economic concerns. The unemployment rate for recent graduates reached a four-year high, and at least a dozen major companies have cited AI efficiency gains while announcing layoffs this year. Some polls show only 18 percent of young people feel hopeful about AI, though other surveys indicate over 70 percent of Americans believe the technology is advancing too quickly. Pichai may receive a warmer reception at Stanford, located in Silicon Valley with strong ties to the tech industry.