Artificial Intelligence solves a major problem with college graduations. However, the solution to the problem also ruins the experience by removing the human element of the event.
What is the best course of action?
I don’t know that answer to that question and I can see an argument for both sides but, as someone who has experienced the alternative to Artificial Intelligence, I think I would prefer it not exist. Let me explain.
PACE University held its graduation ceremony in Lower Manhattan over the weekend. A.I. took the role of the announcer (or reader, whatever you want to call it) when it came time to hand out the diplomas.
Students were told to fill out a form on a website provided to them by the school in the days leading up to the event. The form asked for the students to spell out their name and the phonetic spelling. Upon completion, the computer read back their names to ensure it was pronounced correctly. Students could resubmit the form however many times necessary to get it right.
Fast forward to the actual ceremony. Students got in line in whatever order they chose. They were allowed to sit with their friends. It was not numerical or alphabetical order. Free for all.
Students then presented a barcode to an administrator before it was his or her turn to walk across the stage and receive a diploma. The barcode triggered the computer to announce the name as it was presented on the form filled out in advance. Artificial intelligence read the name instead of a human.
Colleges are using AI name readers to announce students’ names during graduation ceremonies.
Students scan their phones like they’re in a checkout line before an AI voice reads their names.
PACE University was seen using the technology during its commencement ceremony.
“Our… pic.twitter.com/CbqtNFCA5e
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 21, 2025
Vanderbilt did the exact same thing. You can tell it is not a real person who read the names based on how the computer pronounced “Magna cum laude.”
very noticable at the Vanderbilt graduation. Magna cum laude was pronounced: “Magna cooom loud” pic.twitter.com/Lkrrts6YdA
— stevemur (@stevemur) May 22, 2025
There are two sides of the argument regarding this new approach to graduation.
On one side of the artificial intelligence discussion, the computer makes sure the names are going to be pronounced correctly. My last name, Weir, was pronounced “Wear” instead of “we-ear” like Bob when I walked the stage at my graduation. By parents were annoyed but I did not care at all. I still do not care.
On the other side of the artificial intelligence discussion, the computer makes graduation feel like an automated check out system at the grocery store. There is no human element. The computer-generated voice makes it feel even less personal than it already was.
I think I would rather have my name butchered by a real person than have a computer get it right but my name might be too easy Someone with a more complicated name might appreciate the computer for that reason. They will have their name pronounced correctly at their graduation. I see why it could help.
What do you think? Shoot me a DM or an email with your thoughts!
Content shared from brobible.com.