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University Forced to Apologise Over Major AI Blunder at Graduation Ceremony

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Date Published
20 May 2026
Priority Score
1
Australian
Yes
Created
20 May 2026, 02:00 am

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Description

<p>Multiple names were mispronounced and some were skipped altogether.</p>

Summary

This incident involving Glendale Community College highlights failure modes in the deployment of automated systems for human-centric tasks, specifically mispronouncing and skipping student names during a commencement ceremony. While the event demonstrates reliability issues and reputational risks associated with AI adoption, it does not involve existential or catastrophic risks. The case underscores the current limitations of AI reliability in low-stakes administrative applications and the resulting institutional friction when human oversight is removed. The report serves as a minor data point regarding the integration of AI in educational settings and the societal pushback against automation of significant life events.

Body

A university graduation ceremony in the US has erupted in boos after staff admitted the AI tool being used to read out students' names was malfunctioning.Multiple names were mispronounced, and some were skipped altogether at Glendale Community College's commencement ceremony last week.It forced some students at the college to walk across the stage and collect their degrees with a different name shown on the screen behind them.LIVE UPDATES: Putin visits Xi in China, hot on Trump's tailTiffany Hernandez, president of Glendale Community College in the US, admitted AI was to blame for the issue. (TikTok/@gracereimer2003)When the issue became clear to students and staff, Glendale Community College president Tiffany Hernandez admitted AI was to blame."We're using a new AI system as our reader," she told students in footage shared to social media."That's a lesson learned for us."Her words were met with a chorus of boos from the crowd.READ MORE: Is rentvesting dead? Tax reform to push people away from popular strategyInitially, Hernandez said students who had to collect their degrees while the wrong names were read would not get a do-over.After significant outcry from the crowd, she reconsidered and announced students would be allowed to walk the stage again with a human reading each name.Some students took to social media to voice their concern and disappointment over AI being used for something as simple as reading out graduates' names.Graduate Grace Reimer was affected by the AI blunder and claimed on TikTok that half the student body left the ceremony early because of it.She also shared a screenshot of a letter of apology students received from Hernandez after the fact.READ MORE: Contaminated booze that killed Melbourne teens Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles found in Australian liquor storesA letter from the university president apologising for the incident. (TikTok/@gracereimer2003)"On behalf of myself and the entire college, I want to extend a sincere apology for the experience many of you and your loved ones had during Friday's commencement ceremony," it read.Hernandez went on to say the college is "reviewing what occurred and will take steps to ensure an issue like this does not happen again in the future".Her letter did not specifically mention AI or whether it will be used again in future.READ MORE: Aussies are divided over AI in healthcare - but 40 per cent of GPs are already using itNor did a Glendale Community College representative mention AI by name in a statement to US publication Business Insider about the blunder."While the issue was corrected during the ceremony, we are sorry for the disruption it caused during what should have been a celebratory moment for our graduates and their families," the representative told the outlet."We have also communicated directly with graduates to apologize for the experience."The blunder has sparked conversation about the role of AI in education spaces.Many universities in Australia and abroad, Glendale Community College included, have strict policies controlling how students use AI tools for their studies.NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google PlayMake 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box hereSign up to our breaking newsletter here