Controversy Surrounds D’Youville University’s Choice of AI Robot Sophia as 2024 Commencement Speaker
D’Youville University Faces Backlash Over AI Robot Commencement Speaker
In a surprising move, D’Youville University has announced that Sophia, an artificial intelligence-powered robot created by Hanson Robotics, will be the commencement speaker at its 2024 graduation ceremony. This decision has sparked a backlash among students and faculty who believe that a human speaker would be more appropriate for such an important occasion.
Sophia, known for her appearances at prestigious events such as the United Nations summit and the cover of Cosmopolitan India magazine, has been invited to address the graduates on May 11 at LECOM Harborcenter. However, a petition on Change.org with over 1,600 signatures argues that the choice of an AI robot dehumanizes the ceremony and takes away from the students’ achievements.
The petition highlights the importance of human connection, especially in light of the challenges faced by the class of 2020, who had their graduation ceremonies disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many students feel that having an AI robot as the commencement speaker diminishes the significance of the event and fails to recognize their hard work.
In response to the backlash, D’Youville University has announced that it will offer a separate commencement ceremony with a human speaker for those who are uncomfortable with Sophia. This decision aims to address the concerns raised by the students and faculty while still incorporating technology and innovation into the event.
Despite the university’s efforts to integrate AI and virtual reality into its campus, many members of the D’Youville community remain skeptical about the choice of an AI robot as the commencement speaker. Critics argue that a living, breathing speaker would be more appropriate for such a milestone event and that the university should prioritize investing in faculty and students rather than gimmicks.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the debate over the role of technology in education and the importance of human connection in academic ceremonies remains at the forefront of the discussion at D’Youville University.
