The End of the AI Hype Cycle in Commencement Speeches
If you are preparing to deliver a university commencement address, you have likely received conflicting advice about the topic of artificial intelligence. Recent years have shown that hyped AI talks are a liability, not an asset. Audiences are increasingly skeptical of tech leaders who treat LLMs as a panacea for human achievement.
For those wondering how to navigate this minefield, the answer lies in looking at Steve Wozniak’s recent performance. The Apple co-founder recently demonstrated that it is possible to discuss AI and actually receive applause, provided you approach the subject with humility and humor rather than corporate bravado.
Wozniak’s Unlikely Triumph at Grand Valley State University
At a May 2 commencement speech at Grand Valley State University, Wozniak managed to do what many of his high-profile peers have failed to do: mention AI and win over the crowd. His success wasn't accidental; it stemmed from a fundamental respect for the graduates' intelligence and their existing capabilities.
Wozniak opened the door cautiously. "AI is the big term today," he acknowledged. He then immediately defused the tension by reminding the audience that they were not a board of shareholders, but smart individuals with their own potential.
"You all have AI," Wozniak said, pausing for effect. "Actual intelligence!"
The response was immediate. The applause arrived quickly, signaling that the audience appreciated his reframing of the narrative. Rather than lecturing them on the transformative power of algorithms, he validated their own humanity and intellect.
Mocking the "Brain" Quest with Humor
Once the tension was broken, Wozniak shifted into a mode that was less "tech evangelist" and more "stand-up comedian." He began to gently mock the relentless, often arrogant quest by figures like Sam Altman to create a truly artificial mind.
"My entire life in the technical world, I've been following people that were trying to figure out how to make a brain," Wozniak recounted. He set up the punchline with classic timing, asking whether the engineers were focused on software or hardware, before delivering the final blow:
"I was at a company where the engineers figured out how to make a brain. It takes nine months."
The bit landed perfectly. It served as a sharp reminder that while tech giants chase silicon-based consciousness, the biological reality is far more complex and far more valuable.
Remembering What Actually Matters
Wozniak’s speech concluded with a poignant truth that often gets lost in the noise of tech discourse: people are what truly matter. He reminded the graduates that their academic achievements are important, but they are not the core of a meaningful life.
"The day you die," he said, "you're not gonna remember things you learned in your class, formulas and all that, what you're gonna remember is the good times you had doing things with other people, enjoying anything in life."
In an era where AI is often positioned as the future of work and learning, Wozniak’s message was a grounding force. He highlighted that human connection and shared experiences are the lasting legacies of a life well-lived. By focusing on the graduates' potential rather than the technology's power, he turned a potentially polarizing topic into a moment of unity and inspiration.
