Sundar Pichai tells Stanford graduates ‘your choices will shape your journey’ after students walk out during speech

A group of students walked out of the graduation ceremony while Google CEO Sundar Pichai was delivering the commencement address at Stanford University. The planned weeks-long protest was targeting Google’s involvement in Project Nimbus, a cloud computing and artificial intelligence deal between Google, Amazon and the Israeli government. More than 100 students took part in the demonstration, reports said, leaving their seats at Stanford Stadium while chanting “Free, free Palestine”. The students said the protest was intended to raise awareness of concerns surrounding the project and its links to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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Students turn graduation ceremony into protest platform

The walkout came moments after Pichai began his speech, turning what was meant to be a celebration of academic achievement into a wider discussion about technology, politics and student activism. Students involved in the protest had expressed concerns about Project Nimbus and wanted the university community to consider what they said was the wider impact of the deal. The protest was a big moment in the ceremony but Pichai did not touch on it directly in his comments.

Choose optimism, says Sundar Pichai after the protest

Pichai leads one of the world’s largest technology companies at a time when artificial intelligence is changing the face of business. But he didn’t make AI the focus of his speech. Instead, he spoke of optimism, urging graduates to focus on how they respond to uncertain times. “Choose optimism,” he said. Addressing the graduates, Pichai said every generation had its challenges and difficult circumstances. “We don’t get to choose the world we graduate into, but we do get to choose how we frame our circumstances,” he told them.

Google CEO recalls Stanford journey

During the speech, Pichai also recounted his own journey from a Stanford student to head of Google. He also reflected on the choices and opportunities that led him to his career, reminding graduates that their own paths would be shaped by the decisions they make. But the student protest was still one of the biggest lessons from the ceremony.

Protest follows growing campus activism over Gaza conflict

Universities across the United States have become important spaces for student demonstrations and debates over the Israel-Gaza conflict.

In recent years, graduation ceremonies and campus events have increasingly been used by students to express their views on global issues.

The Stanford walkout became another example of how student activism has become part of major academic events.

Pichai leaves without commenting on protest

After the ceremony, a BBC journalist approached Pichai and asked about the demonstration. "Mr Pichai, any reaction to the protestors today?" the reporter asked. Pichai did not respond and continued walking.

The short exchange later gained attention online, adding to the discussion surrounding the graduation ceremony.

For many students, the event marked the end of years of academic effort and a moment of celebration. But for others, it became an opportunity to raise their concerns publicly.