The Silence Around AI
There’s advice circulating for 2026 commencement speakers: skip talking about AI. TechCrunch recently noted this, and other outlets have echoed the sentiment. The idea is that graduating students aren’t exactly thrilled about a future shaped by artificial intelligence. Some speakers who praised AI as a new industrial revolution at multiple 2026 university ceremonies were apparently met with loud booing. One commentator even suggested a speaker might as well have said, “Congratulations graduates! You’re all obsolete!”
This cautious approach is understandable. Graduates are skeptical. They’re worried about how AI impacts future job markets, and for good reason. My job here at agntbox.com is to review AI toolkits, to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I see firsthand the rapid changes and the sometimes messy implementation of these systems. So, when people suggest avoiding the topic entirely, I get it. No one wants to alienate a crowd, especially one that’s supposed to be celebrating.
Avoiding the Elephant in the Room
But here’s my take: avoiding the conversation is a mistake. Yes, graduates are skeptical. Yes, there are valid concerns about job displacement and the future of work. But pretending AI isn’t a massive part of their future won’t make those concerns disappear. It just pushes them underground.
As someone who spends a lot of time looking at the practical applications of AI, I see a disconnect. On one side, you have the grand, often overhyped claims about AI’s potential. On the other, you have the very real anxieties of people entering a workforce where many traditional roles are changing. The booing at those commencement speeches wasn’t just about disliking AI; it was likely about feeling unheard, about anxieties being dismissed by a speaker who seemed out of touch.
A Better Approach for Speakers
So, if I were giving a commencement speech in 2026, I wouldn’t shy away from AI. Instead, I’d address it head-on, but with a different message. Instead of praising AI as some magical future, I’d acknowledge the skepticism. I’d talk about the valid concerns. I’d validate the graduates’ feelings.
Then, I’d pivot to practical reality. AI isn’t going away. It’s already here, and it’s evolving quickly. The best way to navigate this new space isn’t to ignore it, but to understand it. To understand its capabilities and, just as importantly, its limitations. That’s what we do at agntbox.com. We break down the tools, we show where they shine, and where they fall flat. That’s the kind of honest assessment graduates need to hear.
Focus on Adaptability, Not Just Enthusiasm
A speaker in 2026 has an opportunity to offer a nuanced perspective. They could talk about how AI will demand new skills: critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. They could discuss the importance of understanding how these systems work, not just as users, but as people who can shape their development and ethical use.
The goal shouldn’t be to get graduates excited about AI simply because it’s new. It should be to equip them with the mindset to navigate a world where AI is a constant. That means being able to distinguish between genuine advancements and marketing hype. It means understanding that while some jobs will change, new opportunities will also emerge for those who can work alongside and even direct AI tools.
Mike McIntyre’s crowdsourced commencement speech for the Class of 2026, where Ideastream Public Media Executive Editor Mike asked followers for advice, hints at this need for practical wisdom. Graduates want sage words of advice, not empty platitudes.
The Real Message
To tell graduates not to worry about AI, or to avoid mentioning it, feels like a disservice. It’s like telling them not to look at the weather report when a storm is clearly on the horizon. Instead, let’s talk about the weather. Let’s discuss what kind of gear they’ll need, what preparations they can make, and how they can even learn to sail in the new conditions.
My advice to 2026 commencement speakers: don’t shy away from AI. Talk about it. But don’t just laud it. Talk about the challenges, the uncertainties, and the skills needed to thrive within it. Give graduates an honest assessment, and perhaps most importantly, give them the confidence that they can understand and influence this new future, rather than just being swept along by it. That’s a message worth hearing, even if it doesn’t involve unbridled enthusiasm.
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