As the class of 2026 walks across the stage this graduation season, there may be no larger elephant in the room than artificial intelligence. The technology promises great innovation, but it is making young people anxious about their own career prospects and whether the four-year college grind was worth it in today’s job market. And even Fortune 500 CEOs are still navigating how to use AI meaningfully.
When Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian sat down to prepare his commencement address for Emory University, he experimented with AI as a shortcut to save time—but ultimately found the result lacking.
“In composing these remarks, out of curiosity, I asked AI to prepare the address. And I was amazed at how quick and easy it was generated,” Bastian told Emory graduates on Monday.
“But I also noticed the lack of soul nor warmth it conveyed. It was not my personal voice, and it did not express my genuine appreciation for the opportunity to impart my insights to thousands of you. You want to hear from me, not some algorithm of me.”
So, instead of delivering a lackluster AI-powered speech, the 68-year-old scrapped the draft entirely.
