The AI Hype Index: AI gets booed in graduation season | MIT Technology Review

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Stephanie Arnett/MIT Technology Review | Getty Images, Adobe Stockby Caiwei Chen archive pageMay 28, 2026 It is one thing to say AI will change the world. It is another to expect the class of 2026 to applaud it. In fact, when former Google CEO Eric Schmidt told University of Arizona graduates that their task is to help shape AI, he was met with a resounding chorus of boos. “I can hear you,” he said, before conceding that fears about disappearing jobs and a broken future were “rational.” This is not exactly the message one hopes to hear while sweating under a polyester gown and tallying student loan payments. Graduates have been jeering at AI pep talks at other commencements too, including ceremonies at the University of Central Florida and Middle Tennessee State University. Still, increasingly loud skepticism hasn’t stopped OpenAI from winning court cases, raising enormous sums of money, and launching new partnerships. And AI is even earning some unlikely cheerleaders: Reese Witherspoon has warned women to embrace it or be replaced by it. by Caiwei ChenShareShare story on linkedinShare story on facebookShare story on emailDeep DiveArtificial intelligenceWant to understand the current state of AI? Check out these charts.According to Stanford’s 2026 AI Index, AI is sprinting, and we’re struggling to keep up.
By Michelle Kimarchive page10 Things That Matter in AI Right NowMIT Technology Review's authoritative overview of the 10 technologies, emerging trends, bold ideas, and powerful movements in AI in 2026.
By Amy Nordrumarchive pageMusk v. Altman week 1: Elon Musk says he was duped, warns AI could kill us all, and admits that xAI distills OpenAI’s modelsMusk kept his cool, and OpenAI’s lawyer bulldozed him with piercing questions about his motivations for suing the company.
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The current perception surrounding artificial intelligence is characterized by a significant tension between the rapid advancement of the technology and widespread skepticism, particularly within academic and public spheres. This dynamic is highlighted by the observation that the enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence is not universally accepted, as evidenced by reactions at graduation ceremonies where expectations concerning AI were met with visible dissent. For instance, remarks made by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt regarding the task of shaping AI were met with boos, while he admitted that fears concerning job displacement and a degraded future were rational concerns. This juxtaposition illustrates a disconnect between the perceived inevitability of AI's transformative power and the anxieties felt by those who will inherit or manage its consequences.

Despite this palpable skepticism, the momentum behind artificial intelligence development remains robust across various domains. Major entities continue to engage with AI through high-stakes activities, such as attracting substantial funding and pursuing legal actions, including court cases. Furthermore, pivotal organizations such as OpenAI continue to secure partnerships and achieve significant financial milestones, demonstrating continued practical and commercial traction for the technology. This evolution is paralleled by counter-narratives; some public figures are adopting supportive stances, such as Reese Witherspoon advising women to embrace the technology or highlighting its potential.

The state of AI development is also quantitatively assessed through indices, which suggest that the pace of AI advancement is accelerating rapidly, presenting a challenge for current societal structures to adapt in time. Data from Stanford’s 2026 AI Index reflects this acceleration, indicating that the field is moving quickly, and there is an inherent struggle to maintain pace with these developments. This situation underscores the need for a critical examination of the implications of AI, moving beyond mere hype to address concrete concerns regarding societal impact and future trajectories.