ORLANDO, Fla. – A commencement speech at the University of Central Florida is sparking debate online after comments about artificial intelligence drew boos from graduates during a recent ceremony for arts and humanities students.
The reaction came during a speech delivered by Gloria Caulfield, president of the Lake Nona Institute and vice president of strategic alliances at Tavistock.
“Artificial intelligence is the next industrial revolution,” Caulfield told graduates during the commencement ceremony.
Video from the event shows students booing after references to AI, with clips of the moment quickly spreading on social media.
“Only a few years ago, AI was not a factor in our lives,” Caulfield continued, with graduates then cheering at that statement.
“Why say that in a room full of creatives?” said Madison Fuentes, a recent UCF graduate with a degree in English creative writing.
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Fuentes said many students are worried artificial intelligence could reduce opportunities in creative fields.
“I don’t think that kids are having a hard time accepting it because we know that AI exists,” Fuentes said. “I think we’re just having a hard time acknowledging that it’s taking away job opportunities from us.”
Concerns about employment and AI are becoming more common among recent college graduates.
According to a report from education technology group Cengage, only 30% of recent graduates in 2025 said they were able to find full-time jobs, compared with 41% in 2024. The survey included 1,000 recent graduates, many of whom cited concerns about artificial intelligence replacing jobs.
An Instagram poll conducted by News 6 also reflected mixed feelings about AI among young people. About 88% of respondents said “get it out of here,” while 12% said they supported it.
Still, some respondents said AI can be helpful when used responsibly and in moderation.
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During the commencement ceremony, Caulfield acknowledged the divided reaction in the room, saying, “We’ve got a bipolar topic here, I see.”
After reviewing the full commencement speech, News 6 reached out to Caulfield for additional comment. A voicemail was left, but she had not responded as of publication.
News 6 also contacted the University of Central Florida with questions about whether commencement speeches are reviewed ahead of ceremonies and what message the university has for students entering an increasingly AI-driven workforce.
“I am disappointed in her choice of words. Maybe she wasn’t expecting that reaction from talking about AI in a roomful of creatives, and that that might have rubbed us the wrong way,” said Fuentes.