Technology leaders who have taken the podium as graduation speakers of late may have figured out AI evangelizing isn’t polling well with young professionals, and tweaked their messaging accordingly. But it turns out, AI isn’t the only point of tension between high-powered speakers and graduates this commencement season.
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai is the latest tech executive to get the cold shoulder from graduates this year. Members of Stanford’s 2026 graduating class walked out of their ceremony on Sunday as Pichai, who holds a master’s degree from the university, took the stage.
