Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak receives applause for 'Actual Intelligence' remarks at graduation

When several tech executives face jeering for discussing artificial intelligence (AI) in graduation speeches in the United States, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak received thunderous applause from students.

The moment occurred during his speech at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. In his address, Wozniak stated that graduates already possess their own ‘AI’ – but not the acronym for Artificial Intelligence.

‘You all have AI, Actual Intelligence,’ Wozniak told graduates.

The message resonated differently compared to other tech executives who often portray AI as a technology that will replace humans. By emphasising ‘Actual Intelligence’, Wozniak positioned graduates as the focus of the conversation, not machines or AI itself.

This message carried more weight given Wozniak’s reputation as different from many modern tech executives. Although he co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs, he is known for being closer to engineering and creativity rather than business expansion or monetisation, unlike many tech executives.

Even during Apple’s early days, he reportedly refused managerial responsibilities, preferring engineering over executive roles, according to Firstpost.

At the University of Arizona, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced jeering when addressing graduates on AI’s potential. Schmidt spoke about AI’s transformative potential and urged graduates to embrace it, comparing its development to a ’ rocket’ that must be boarded immediately.

’ When someone offers you a seat on the rocket, you don’t ask which seat – you just get on. Graduates, the rocket is here,’ Schmidt said.