Let’s put aside the discussion of whether their enthusiasm for the tech is merited or not, that is beside the point.
A commencement speaker is not there to talk about themselves or their favorite things. They are not there to teach the graduates anything or try to debate with the graduates.
A commencement speaker is there to honor and respect the graduates. To commend them on how far they have come and express optimism for what they will bring to society in the future. To make them feel appreciated for all they have done and are about to do. To feel inspired by what they have accomplished and the possibilities they bring to society. There has been and will be plenty of opportunity to educate, debate, and convince them, but this is not the venue for any of that.
Speaking about how “awesome” AI is and how they should be grateful for it is disrespecting them by failing to let them be the focus of their own graduation.
These folks just don’t get it.
Let’s put aside the discussion of whether their enthusiasm for the tech is merited or not, that is beside the point.
A commencement speaker is not there to talk about themselves or their favorite things. They are not there to teach the graduates anything or try to debate with the graduates.
A commencement speaker is there to honor and respect the graduates. To commend them on how far they have come and express optimism for what they will bring to society in the future. To make them feel appreciated for all they have done and are about to do. To feel inspired by what they have accomplished and the possibilities they bring to society. There has been and will be plenty of opportunity to educate, debate, and convince them, but this is not the venue for any of that.
Speaking about how “awesome” AI is and how they should be grateful for it is disrespecting them by failing to let them be the focus of their own graduation.