Stanford graduates protest Google CEO Sundar Pichai at commencement over Israel ties
By
Luis Melecio Zambrano
FeedBagel synthesis
· 7 sourcesDozens of Stanford graduates walked out and booed Google CEO Sundar Pichai during the university's 2025 commencement speech, protesting Google's contracts with the Israeli government, with some chanting "Free Palestine" as they exited, according to multiple reports including Hacker News and Raw Story. Pichai delivered an optimistic address focused on personal fulfillment and hard choices, largely avoiding controversial topics like artificial intelligence, which Hacker News noted is a departure from other university speakers who were booed this year over AI. The protest reflects growing campus activism around tech companies' involvement in geopolitical issues, as reported by Raw Story.
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Summary
At Stanford's 2025 commencement, Google CEO Sundar Pichai faced protests as scores of graduates walked out and booed his presence due to Google's work with Israel. Despite the disruption, Pichai delivered an optimistic speech focused on personal fulfillment and hard choices, largely avoiding controversial topics like AI. The protest reflects growing campus activism around tech companies' involvement in geopolitical issues.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledAs Google CEO Sundar Pichai took the stage Sunday at Stanford's commencement, scores of graduates stood, booed and walked out, turning a celebration for nearly 6,000 degree recipients into a protest over the tech giant's work with Israel.
Pichai, a Stanford alumnus leading one of the world's most powerful companies, appeared unfazed.
His speech largely avoided the artificial intelligence debate that has shadowed other tech-heavy commencement addresses this season, instead offering graduates a familiar message about optimism, hard choices and pursuing work that excites them.
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