ai / ronny chieng / harvard

Comedian Ronny Chieng urged Harvard graduates to “destroy AI” during a commencement speech, drawing cheers and laughs from the audience. The remarks, part of a broader satirical critique, highlighted concerns about AI’s societal impact, job disruption, and ethical risks while lampooning tech industry excesses. Though not a technical policy proposal, the speech tapped into ongoing public debate over AI governance, safety, and accountability, resonating with graduates entering tech and other sectors. The moment underscores how cultural figures can shape popular perceptions of AI and influence conversations about regulation, corporate responsibility, and the social consequences of rapid AI deployment.

Comedian Ronny Chieng used his Harvard Class Day keynote to provocatively denounce AI, urging graduates to “destroy AI” while acknowledging its merits in fields like medicine and physics. He argued that AI risks displacing the creative struggle and craftsmanship that produce meaningful work—turning competence into shallow mimicry—and encouraged students to pursue mastery and passion instead of relying on shortcuts. Chieng’s remarks, which drew raucous approval, also lampooned Harvard’s grade inflation and touched on the Epstein files. His message frames a cultural pushback against AI’s encroachment on creative labor, underscoring ongoing debates about automation, authorship, and the value of human learning in tech’s evolution.