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This Week in Startups · May 18, 2026 · 1h 8m 40s

Why is Gen Z Hates AI?

Jason Calacanis and Alex discuss the growing backlash against AI among Gen Z and the broader public, triggered by high-profile figures like Eric Schmidt being booed at commencement ceremonies. The episode explores why students entering an AI-reshaped job market are increasingly skeptical of the technology, examines concentration of AI revenue (90% to Anthropic and OpenAI), and covers emerging concerns about surveillance infrastructure like Flock Safety's camera networks.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

Gen Z Backlash Against AI as Mainstream Sentiment
Gen Z graduates entering the workforce are experiencing genuine skepticism and backlash against AI due to visible job displacement and market disruption, evidenced by Eric Schmidt being booed at 2026 commencement ceremonies.
AI as Economic Threat to Entry-Level Job Market
AI is visibly eliminating entry-level positions and reducing job opportunities for recent graduates, making it a personal economic threat rather than a distant technological abstraction.

Editorial

AI Revenue Concentration: Anthropic and OpenAI Control 90% of Startup AI Revenue
According to The Information's reporting, Anthropic and OpenAI capture nearly 90% of all startup AI revenue, creating extreme market concentration.
Surveillance Infrastructure as Invisible Risk: Flock Safety's Camera Network
Flock Safety's expanding network of cameras represents a largely unexamined surveillance infrastructure that Gen Z intuitively distrusts, even as they're unaware of its full scope.
Post-ChatGPT University Disruption: Academic Culture Shift
A viral Stanford student essay documented how the arrival of ChatGPT has fundamentally altered undergraduate life, assignments, grading standards, and the meaning of academic achievement.

Misc

Eric Schmidt booed at commencement ceremony for praising AI — symbolic of generational shift in tech sentiment
2026 commencement season becoming anti-AI messaging battleground
Stanford student's viral essay reflects post-ChatGPT disruption of academic culture
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