AIpiphanies

Pace University wanted to “streamline” its graduation.
Result: a sea of caps, gowns…and QR codes.

Graduates scanned their phones, and an AI voice dutifully pronounced each name.
No phlegmy misfires, no dad-jokes from the podium—just efficient syllable processing that felt suspiciously like bagging produce at self-checkout.

Reactions were mixed:

• “Cool tech!”
• “Where’s the emotion?”
• “Did I just tip a robot to say my name?”

Our take:
Ceremony used to be about pomp, circumstance, and one brave announcer mangling Italian surnames. Now it’s latency, bandwidth, and latency again. The future’s efficient—but perhaps a touch antiseptic. If you long for a human stumble, try the local DMV: they mispronounce for free.

📎 Watch the roll call get silicon-slick here.