On May 17, local time, the University of Arizona held its 2026 graduation ceremony, as reported by Business Insider. When Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and the invited guest speaker, stepped onto the stage, he was met with boos from some of the graduating students. Prior to the ceremony, Schmidt had already incited significant discontent among the student body due to a series of controversies. A petition demanding the revocation of his speaking invitation amassed over 1,260 signatures, and multiple student groups organized protests. The booing intensified when Schmidt discussed the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market. In response, Schmidt maintained his composure, acknowledging the validity of the students' concerns and urging them to take an active role in shaping the future of technology. Furthermore, the ethical controversies surrounding Schmidt's personal life and career exacerbated the students' resentment. Despite the protests, the university stood by its decision and proceeded with its plan to confer an honorary doctorate upon him.