Students cheer Jeremy Scott for ripping up his AI commencement speech

May 24, 2026 - 05:30

Fashion designer Jeremy Scott delivered an unconventional commencement address at the Kansas City Art Institute this weekend, one that he literally tore apart in front of the graduating class. Scott, known for his bold and often whimsical designs, arrived at the podium with a prepared speech written by artificial intelligence. He read a few lines from the script before stopping abruptly and ripping the pages in half.

The crowd of students and faculty erupted in cheers as Scott tossed the torn paper aside. He then spoke directly to the graduates, telling them that no machine could ever replicate their unique human experiences, emotions, or creative instincts. Scott emphasized that art comes from lived moments, struggles, and joy, not from algorithms. He urged the new artists to trust their own voices and to resist the temptation to let technology do the thinking for them.

The moment resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom have watched the rise of AI tools reshape creative fields. Students later described the speech as a powerful reminder of what makes human-made art valuable. Scott's impromptu message turned what could have been a standard ceremony into a memorable call for authenticity in an increasingly automated world.