Summary of Key Points
This year's graduation speeches from top American universities have seen a revolutionary shift in speakers and themes: the usual stars, politicians, and motivational figures have been replaced by tech giants in the semiconductor and AI industries (such as NVIDIA's Jensen Huang and AMD's Lisa Su). At the same time, universities like Harvard have invited comedians (like Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O'Brien) to voice opposition to over-reliance on AI. These speeches are no longer just empty motivational talks; they serve as a guidebook for survival in the AI era. On one hand, tech leaders encourage young people to actively embrace AI and tackle challenging problems; on the other hand, representatives from the humanities remind them to preserve human values and think independently. This reflects a comprehensive reconfiguration of the elite landscape, technological logic, and ways of growth in the AI age.
1. The Complete Shuffle of Graduation Speeches: Hardcore Technology Takes Center Stage
Who used to be the stars at graduation ceremonies? Obama, Hillary (from politics), Oprah (from media), Steve Jobs (although tech-savvy, he emphasized passion) – they talked about chasing dreams, changing the world, and following your passions. This year, things have changed dramatically: CMU invited Jensen Huang from NVIDIA (the king of AI computing power), MIT invited Lisa Su from AMD, and Stanford invited Sundar Pichai from Google (the architect of the AI ecosystem).
Why the change? Universities understand better than anyone that this graduating class is at a crossroads between the Internet era and the AI era. The old motivational speeches don't address the real anxieties brought about by AI, such as "Will AI take my job?" or "How can I coexist with AI?" Tech leaders hold the key resources of the AI industry, and their insights into technological trends and practical applications are what young people need most. Hardcore technology has become the new currency of the era, and those who master it naturally become the new influencers.
2. Tech Leaders' AI Survival Lessons: Two Approaches, One Core Message – "Don't Get Left Behind by AI"
The most notable speeches this year came from Jensen Huang and Lisa Su, two rivals from Silicon Valley. Their talks were devoid of corporate flattery and were full of practical advice:
#### Jensen Huang (Pro-Action): Take the Initiative to Close the Gap
Jensen Huang didn't talk about his entrepreneurial stories; instead, he shared experiences like washing dishes after immigrating and nearly going bankrupt several times. He said, "The computing field is being completely reset, and in the future, everyone will be a 'programmer,' as all industries will be transformed by AI." In other words, AI isn't a threat; fear is useless. You need to learn and use it actively. For example, if you're a teacher, use AI to prepare lessons; if you're a doctor, use AI to analyze images. Those who embrace AI first will narrow the digital gap with others.
#### Lisa Su (Responsibility): Don't Be a Slave to Tools – Be the Master of Technology
Lisa Su, a triple-degree holder in electrical engineering from MIT, told her fellow students, "AI is a tool, but tools are not valuable. What the world needs are people who know how to use AI to achieve goals – with purpose, judgment, and courage." For instance, while AI can write code, you need to decide what that code should solve; while AI can generate reports, you need to evaluate their accuracy. Her message is that technology can advance rapidly, but human intelligence cannot be replaced by it. You must use it to tackle the hardest problems.
3. A Counterweight to the Tech Voices: Comedians Call for the Demolition of AI
Amidst the tech leaders' pro-AI messages, Harvard invited comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who started his speech with "F*ck AI" and "It’s stupid," instantly catching everyone's attention. He argued that over-reliance on AI creates a cognitive debt, making people dependent on algorithms and losing the ability to think independently. He urged people not to sell their souls to algorithms and to use kindness, happiness, and independent thinking to counter the power of technology.
Comedian Conan O'Brien also joked, "Don't let being a Harvard graduate become your only identity." He criticized politicians for suppressing academic freedom and restricting international student visas, calling for empathy. These non-tech speakers help fill the emotional and value gaps created by the AI era. Young people are anxious about the impact of AI, but they need more than just technical solutions; they also need guidance on how to preserve human values.
4. Three Irreversible Trends Behind the Changes
These speech changes reveal three profound truths about the times:
#### 1. The Shift in Elite Focus: From Politics, Business, and Culture to Hardcore Technology
Elites of the past were those who could speak well, network effectively, and express passion; today's elites are those who can work with AI, solve technical problems, and control computing power. In the AI era, those with core technologies will lead the future.
#### 2. The End of the Old Computing Era: Computing Power Redefines Everything
Jensen Huang said the computing field is being completely reset, and Lisa Su mentioned the end of the PC and mobile phone era. Industries that relied on computers and phones (such as traditional software and smartphone manufacturing) will be replaced by AI and supercomputing. Future jobs will either involve using AI or creating core components for AI (like GPUs and semiconductors).
#### 3. The Change in Growth Logic: From Chasing Passions to Tackling Difficult Problems
In the past, we were encouraged to follow our passions; now, we're told to "run toward the hardest problems." Why? Because in the AI era, passion alone won't sustain you. If you love painting, AI can paint faster and better; if you love writing, AI can produce more content. Only by solving problems that others can't (such as AI ethics or semiconductor bottlenecks) can you avoid being eliminated. Love, kindness, and empathy have become essential for protecting human values – things that AI cannot learn.
Conclusion: The Reality of Survival in the AI Era
This year's graduation speeches are essentially an "AI survival manual" for young people. The winners of the future won't be those who can use AI, but those who can decide what problems AI should solve. Technology will evolve, and computing power will increase, but only humans can answer questions like "Why do we do this?" and "What value does this have for humanity?" So, don't fear AI, and don't rely on it. Stay independent, tackle difficult problems, and preserve human values – these are the keys to thriving in the AI era.