Microsoft Confronted by Student Outcry Over AI

Recently, during numerous graduation ceremonies across the United States, students expressed their discontent by booing speakers who praised artificial intelligence (AI). Microsoft, through its Vice President and President Brad Smith, decided to address this phenomenon in a blog post of over 3,100 words.

Smith mentioned viral clips where public figures like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt were criticized during his speech at the University of Arizona. Similarly, a speaker in Florida was met with boos from students upon mentioning AI as "the next industrial revolution." These reactions reflect a widespread distrust of AI, a technology that companies are increasingly integrating without genuinely consulting the public.

The rejection of massive data centers is also becoming a key political issue. In his article, Smith adopts a conciliatory tone, stating that it is understandable for young people to react this way. He views these protests as a call to action for leaders. "Graduating students who grimace or even yell at the mention of AI are telling us what we need to hear, that it is time to raise the bar again," he writes.

However, Smith's message remains partly aligned with the logic that provoked the boos: AI is meant to profoundly transform our culture, our ways of working, and our relationships, even if these changes are still poorly understood. He emphasizes that young graduates, having grown up with technology, are better prepared for these transformations and can play a key role in building a better future.

Despite these remarks, skepticism persists. Students and the public at large wonder why they should trust the same leaders who, in the past, warned about the dangers of AI before changing their tune. The idea that the tech industry needs to "raise the bar" may be met with skepticism, particularly due to Microsoft partners like Sam Altman of OpenAI, who had warned of the catastrophic effects of AI before retracting their statements.

In a post on X, Smith stated that graduates remind us that AI must serve people, not replace them. The fact that they needed this reminder is the crux of the issue. This statement underscores the need to redefine the role of AI in society and ensure that it truly benefits individuals.