Microsoft president Brad Smith says students booing AI at graduations are right to be skeptical of tech hype
By
TOI Tech Desk
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Summary
Microsoft president Brad Smith responds to graduating students booing AI mentions at commencement speeches, arguing the tech sector is at fault — not the students. He reflects on two recurring mistakes by computer scientists: overestimating how fast new technology spreads and underestimating human capabilities. Smith's essay defends the students' skepticism as a healthy pushback against tech hype, while urging the industry to be more responsible and humble about AI's impact.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe reactions of this year's graduates are a powerful reminder that the tech sector needs to do a better job of listening and understanding the concerns of the people we're building technology for.
They overestimate how fast a new technology will spread, and they underestimate what people are capable of.
The tech sector has a responsibility to earn the trust of the public, and that starts with acknowledging the legitimate concerns people have.
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