AI Announcer Botches Graduation Names

Students at Glendale Community College in Arizona were granted a second opportunity to walk across the commencement stage after an artificial intelligence system repeatedly failed to correctly announce their names.

The integration of AI-powered tools for announcing graduates during commencement ceremonies has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, often adopted to ensure accurate name pronunciation. However, this technology proved problematic during a recent livestreamed ceremony at Glendale Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. The AI announcer mispronounced several names and, due to timing discrepancies as graduates crossed the stage, skipped others entirely.

The ceremony was halted at least twice as organizers attempted to resolve the issues. College President Tiffany Hernandez publicly apologized to attendees, attributing the disruptions to the AI name-reading tool. Initially, she informed affected graduates that a re-walk would not be possible. Nevertheless, following significant public feedback, those students were ultimately given a do-over, with a human announcer calling their names aloud.

The primary appeal of these AI tools, including the widely used platform Tassel, lies in their promise of accuracy. They aim to ensure that the culmination of years of hard work for graduates—receiving their diploma on stage before friends and family—unfolds flawlessly. Tassel, for instance, allows students to confirm their name's pronunciation and display, and even generates AI-powered audio previews, enabling corrections before the ceremony.

Tassel's announcements are created by AI models trained on professional voice actors, designed to sound natural and polished. Despite this, some argue that such an approach can still render a significant personal moment feeling impersonal and automated. In contrast, other solutions, like StageClip’s NameCheck, provide human announcers with correct pronunciations, allowing them to practice ahead of time.

Glendale Community College did not disclose which specific AI system was utilized for their ceremony. However, a hybrid approach, combining AI assistance with a human announcer, is often suggested as a balanced solution. This method could potentially prevent timing and mispronunciation issues while imparting a more meaningful and personal touch.

"When spoken by someone who knows the student or has taken the time to learn their name, it reflects respect and belonging. Outsourcing that responsibility can unintentionally send the message that efficiency matters more than identity," stated June Prakash, president of the teachers’ union in Arlington, Virginia, during a recent address to the local school board, as reported by EducationWeek. In response to such concerns, Arlington’s Washington-Liberty High School has already canceled its plans to use Tassel for an upcoming graduation ceremony.