How people respond to AI, especially online, has been pretty negative, even more so when it encroaches on everyday life. From being implemented in the workplace to its use in creative endeavors, we’re seeing AI more and more. But when a speaker started praising AI at UCF in Florida, graduates made it very clear where they stood on the issue.
Originally posted by TikTok user Kennethudut, the video was a clip from UCF’s Spring 2026 Commencement. One of the speakers, Gloria Caulfield, tells the audience how ‘innovative’ AI is in their lives. “The rise of artificial intelligence is the next Industrial Revolution,” Gloria proclaims. She tries to say more, only to be immediately booed by students.
The speaker nervously chuckles to herself, raising her hands and stepping back to reposition. The room gets louder and louder, and she says, “Okay, I struck a chord! May I finish?” When the room quiets, she decides to continue, “Only a few years ago, AI was not a factor in our lives.” The audience stops her once again with cheers of happiness and excitement.
Clearly, no one there feels the same way, with one student saying, “AI sucks.” The cameraman pans to the audience, filled with happy students clapping. No matter how Gloria tries to put a positive spin on AI, she gets booed. It seems tone-deaf, especially given that people see AI as a threat to their careers.
People Roast Gloria Caulfield Online For Being Out-of-touch
The clip of Gloria’s speech has been making its rounds outside of TikTok, even making its way to Twitter. Some Twitter users claiming to have been a part of the graduation didn’t paint Gloria in a positive light. One Twitter user wrote, “Realizing no one will like the rest of your talk and you have to finish it.” And she sure did rush the rest of her speech after!
Many were actually dumbfounded. Gloria was surprised by the negative response, apparently unable to read the room. One user who claimed to have been there stated that Gloria’s speech was delivered to “a group of art students.” Another user sensing the reason for the animosity said, “Yeah, they’d LOVE AI taking the jobs they just graduated for.”
One user even joked that Gloria “probably” wrote her speech using AI. Regardless, people are increasingly opposed to the attitude that AI is here to stay and that everyone needs to accept it.
