Delta CEO Ed Bastian Discards AI-Written Commencement Speech for Lacking Soul

He discarded the AI-generated draft, stating it lacked his own soul or warmth. Bastian said he was curious about the technology's capabilities.

He ultimately rewrote the speech himself. The audience applauded when he shared that decision during the ceremony. "You want to hear from me, not some algorithm of me," Bastian told the graduates. The comments come as executives express varying levels of confidence in AI tools for different types of work.

Some technology leaders have integrated AI aggressively into analytical and engineering tasks. Delta has deployed AI tools focused on improving the travel experience for customers. These include applications that provide packing guidance and alerts when a traveler's passport is nearing expiration.

The company has generally presented the tools as supplements rather than replacements for its human workforce. Bastian's anecdote highlighted a distinction for tasks where sounding authentically human carries more importance than speed. He used the moment to discuss character and the temptation of shortcuts when facing difficult decisions.

"Many times, doing the right thing comes at a cost," he said. " The airline declined to comment further on the story.