Apple legend Steve Wozniak makes history again: Actually gets applause talking about AI at commencement speech
Steve Wozniak, the legendary Apple co-founder, made headlines by becoming perhaps the first commencement speaker to receive applause while discussing artificial intelligence—a stark contrast to recent trends in higher education.
The article highlights a cultural phenomenon where commencement speakers who enthusiastically promote AI have faced negative receptions from graduating students. Other tech executives, including a real estate executive who called AI “the next industrial revolution” and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who praised AI’s transformative potential, drew heckling and booing from audiences.
Wozniak’s successful approach to the same topic marks a notable departure from these failed attempts. Rather than overselling AI hype, his presentation apparently resonated with graduates in a way that other tech industry figures failed to achieve. The contrast underscores generational differences in attitudes toward artificial intelligence and technology evangelism.
The story serves as both a lighthearted commentary on commencement speech trends and a reminder of Wozniak’s unique cultural position as a revered figure in technology history. His ability to discuss emerging technologies while maintaining credibility with younger audiences suggests that authenticity and nuance matter more than enthusiastic promotion when addressing the next generation.