The advice going around for 2026 commencement speakers is clear: avoid mentioning AI. This isn’t just about avoiding a tired trope; it’s a direct response to a perceived lack of enthusiasm from graduates regarding an AI-shaped future. But what if this silence, this deliberate omission, is precisely the wrong approach? As someone deeply involved in agent intelligence, I find this recommendation concerning, not because it’s incorrect about graduate sentiment, but because it misses a critical opportunity.
The Reluctance to Engage
Anthony Ha’s updated piece from May 17, 2026, highlights the core issue: “It’s tough to get graduating students excited about a future shaped by artificial intelligence.” This statement, widely circulated, suggests a collective unease. Four views on a platform like Tech Daily 24/7 for such a specific piece of advice indicates a niche, yet potent, sentiment. The technology space is always changing, and this advice reflects that evolution.
Commencement speeches are, as some have noted, “pretty low-pressure speaking gigs.” No one is there solely for the speaker. This low-stakes environment might seem to justify avoiding controversial or uninspiring topics. Why mention something that might dampen the mood when the goal is celebration and aspiration? Yet, to ignore the elephant in the room – or perhaps, the intelligent agent in the data center – feels like a disservice to the very individuals we are sending into the world.
Beyond the Hype Cycle
The current sentiment among graduates likely stems from a blend of legitimate concerns and perhaps a degree of fatigue from the constant media cycle surrounding AI. For years, we’ve seen predictions ranging from utopia to dystopia, often without a nuanced understanding of the underlying agent architectures or the socio-technical implications. Graduates entering the workforce in 2026 have grown up with AI as an ambient presence, not a future marvel. Their skepticism isn’t about AI’s existence, but about its implications for their careers, their autonomy, and the very structure of society.
Perhaps the disinterest isn’t in AI itself, but in the superficial ways it’s often presented. A speaker extolling the virtues of AI without addressing its complexities, its ethical dilemmas, or its potential for job displacement, would indeed fall flat. Such a speech would be disconnected from the realities these graduates will face. To simply say “AI will change everything” without offering context or critical thinking is to offer a platitude, not guidance.
The Missed Opportunity
Instead of omitting AI, perhaps the more thoughtful approach would be to address it head-on, but differently. A commencement speech isn’t just about inspiration; it’s also about preparing graduates for the world they are entering. To pretend AI isn’t a central force shaping that world is to leave them unprepared.
What if a 2026 speaker acknowledged the apprehension? What if they spoke not about AI as a distant force, but as a tool, a challenge, and an area ripe for critical engagement? Instead of vague pronouncements, they could offer frameworks for understanding agentic systems, discuss the importance of human oversight in AI development, or highlight the emerging fields that require human ingenuity *in conjunction with* AI.
This isn’t about creating excitement for AI for its own sake. It’s about equipping graduates with the intellectual tools to navigate a complex technological space. It’s about encouraging them to be the thinkers, the ethicists, the engineers, and the policymakers who will shape AI’s trajectory, rather than passively accepting it. Silence on the matter suggests either irrelevance or an unsolvable problem. Neither is true.
Looking Ahead
The advice not to mention AI in 2026 commencement speeches, while perhaps well-intentioned to avoid boredom or negativity, inadvertently strips graduates of a crucial conversation. It misses the chance to frame AI not as an overwhelming, unexciting force, but as a domain where their unique perspectives and skills are desperately needed. The future may be shaped by AI, but it is *built* by people. And those people, the graduates of 2026, deserve more than silence on a topic that will define much of their professional lives.
As researchers in agent intelligence, we know the intricacies and the profound implications. To shy away from discussing these with the next generation is to withhold vital context. Let’s not just send them off with congratulations; let’s send them off with an honest, thoughtful engagement with the world they’re about to inherit.
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