Microsoft president Brad Smith has a message for students booing tech CEOs

Microsoft president Brad Smith has responded to graduating students who booed AI at commencement ceremonies this spring, calling the backlash a “powerful wake-up call for the tech sector.” In a 3,000-word essay, Smith acknowledged the class of 2026 faces a “perfect storm” of AI automation and tech layoffs, yet urged graduates to adapt rather than fear AI. His optimistic message arrives as Sam Altman, Mustafa Suleyman, and Dario Amodei clash over AI’s job impact.