Stanford University's graduation ceremony saw a group of students walk out during Google CEO Sundar Pichai's address :::: "Today is about giving you all advice....But people have been giving me a lot of advice"

Stanford students walk out during Sundar Pichai's graduation speech, here is what happened

“I know today is about giving you all advice....But people have also been giving me a lot of advice....".

Stanford University's graduation ceremony saw a group of students walk out during Google CEO Sundar Pichai's keynote address, protesting over the company's reported contracts with government and defence-linked agencies. The event also saw Pichai keep his speech focused on general advice for graduates, avoiding deeper discussion on technology topics.

The protest was aimed at Google’s reported contracts with the Israeli Defence Forces, the US Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

During the speech, several graduates reportedly stood up and exited together, drawing attention inside the auditorium as the keynote continued.  

The disruption was linked to activist groups present at the ceremony. A post shared by the BreakThrough News handle stated that groups including Students for Justice in Palestine and No Tech for Apartheid organised the walkout.  

Stanford University’s graduation ceremony on Sunday saw this unexpected disruption.

The event, usually centred on celebration and academic achievement, briefly turned tense as some attendees staged a walkout linked to concerns about technology companies and their external partnerships.

The moment added to ongoing discussions on US campuses, where students have been questioning the involvement of major tech firms in government and defence-related work. That sentiment was visible at Stanford as the protest took place during one of the most important university events of the year.  

Pichai delivers measured address, avoids deep tech talk

Sundar Pichai’s speech avoided detailed discussion of AI or industry developments, even though AI has been a frequent topic at graduation events elsewhere in the US. 

In some recent ceremonies, remarks from tech executives on AI have led to strong reactions from students. At Stanford, Pichai instead focused on personal advice and general guidance for graduates stepping into their careers.

“I know today is about giving you all advice,” Pichai told graduates. “But people have also been giving me a lot of advice on what to say. Actually, it's been the same advice, and it's about what not to say.”

ends