Google CEO Sundar Pichai to Deliver Stanford Commencement Speech Next Month
Sundar Pichai is scheduled to speak at Stanford University's graduation ceremony. The address comes as several technology executives have faced audience reactions during recent commencement speeches about artificial intelligence.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Stanford University next month. The appearance follows several instances this year in which graduates responded audibly to technology executives discussing artificial intelligence during graduation speeches.
Students at the University of Arizona booed former Google CEO Eric Schmidt during his address. At Middle Tennessee State University, Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta encountered similar reactions after addressing AI's effects on music and media.
The hosts of the technology podcast "Hard Fork" asked Pichai about his planned approach. Pichai said he intends to share his experiences with the graduates. "These graduates are actually both going to be a big part of driving that progress and also dealing with the impact," he said, referring to artificial intelligence.
A Pew Research Center study found that about half of Americans reported feeling more concerned than excited about increased AI use in daily life. At least a dozen major companies have cited AI-related efficiency gains when announcing workforce reductions this year.
The unemployment rate for recent college graduates reached a four-year high at the start of 2026. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addressed similar themes earlier this month at Carnegie Mellon University's commencement, stating that graduates face favorable conditions for entering the workforce.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- Earlier this month
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang spoke at Carnegie Mellon University commencement.
1 sourceBusiness Insider - This year
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed at University of Arizona.
1 sourceBusiness Insider - This year
Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta faced backlash at Middle Tennessee State University.
1 sourceBusiness Insider - Next month
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is scheduled to speak at Stanford University commencement.
1 sourceBusiness Insider
Potential Impact
- 01
Stanford graduates will hear directly from the CEO of a leading AI company.
- 02
Other universities may adjust speaker selections based on recent audience reactions.
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