Graduates Boo UCF Speaker Over AI Job Threat Comments

Graduates at the University of Central Florida booed commencement speaker Gloria Caulfield last week after she discussed artificial intelligence's threat to jobs in arts and media fields.

UCF held the ceremony for the College of Arts and Humanities and the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at Addition Financial Arena. Caulfield, vice president of strategic alliances for Tavistock Development Company, described AI as the next Industrial Revolution and its impact on society.

The remarks drew boos from the audience of graduates, many training for careers that could face disruption from AI. Such jeers are rare at commencement speeches, which typically receive polite applause from friends, families and siblings in attendance.

Caulfield stuck to her view on AI's permanence and the need to adapt for job prospects in affected fields. The speech avoided divisive politics, unlike some others that stir controversy.