College Graduates Boo AI -- Are They Right That It's Impacting Their Job Market?

AI in the workplace remains contentious for new graduates after a University of Central Florida commencement where boos greeted a speaker's AI remarks. Gloria Caulfield described AI as the next Industrial Revolution, a point echoed by students and faculty skeptical about quick integration. Handshake surveys show 58% of seniors want a deep AI understanding, yet only 28% say AI is integrated into their degree programs. Gallup finds 43% of Americans aged 15–34 see a favorable time to find a job, compared with 64% of older adults. Employers still project a 5.6% hiring increase for the Class of 2026, while grads face a 5.6% unemployment rate in March 2026.