An AI system meant to read graduate names at Glendale Community College’s commencement malfunctioned, causing names on screen not to match students walking across the stage and prompting multiple pauses. Students and families said the disruption left them unea
GLENDALE, AZ — At Glendale Community College’s commencement ceremony, the moment meant to feel seamless instead turned shaky and confusing.
Graduate names that were supposed to be read as students walked across the stage didn’t appear to match who was actually crossing. Then, at the bottom of the screen, the names stopped changing altogether. The ceremony was paused at least twice.
Grace Reimer said she initially felt proud to be there “in the moment.” It wasn’t until she crossed the stage and returned to her seat that she realized something wasn’t right. She said she didn’t hear much cheering—something that troubled her because she described her family as “a pretty loud family.”.
“Yeah. That’s not right. And it definitely made me feel uneasy,” Reimer said.
A few minutes later, she finally heard her name—after the delays and the mismatch had already landed.
When questions mounted, GCC President Tiffany Hernandez tried to explain what happened while the ceremony was underway. She described the school’s use of a new AI system as the reader, and she addressed the boos from the audience.
“Here’s what happening. We’re using a new AI system as our reader,” Hernandez said, speaking over the boos. “Yep, yep. So that is a lesson learned for us.”
Reimer said the explanation didn’t feel adequate. She told the audience the disruption didn’t come across as caring.
“It didn’t feel sincere and it kinda felt like they didn’t care,” Reimer said.
In response to questions. GCC later provided a statement saying a technical issue during one commencement ceremony impacted the reading of some graduate names. The statement said the issue was corrected during the ceremony. but acknowledged the school was sorry for the disruption during what should have been a celebratory moment for graduates and their families.
The statement added that the college communicated directly with graduates to apologize and said it is “incredibly proud of all our graduates,” while saying it is taking steps to ensure an issue like this does not occur again.
Reimer said she still wants more than a quick explanation—especially because the technology was meant to support a tradition built on recognition and timing.
“I would have liked a little more thought to have gone into it rather than pushing something as simple as reading some names off to an AI device,” she said.
As graduates and their families look back on the day, the lingering frustration is simple: a system meant to call their names and honor their work failed in public, turning a milestone into a scramble for clarity.
Glendale Community College commencement ceremony AI system graduation names technical issue Tiffany Hernandez Grace Reimer
Why even use AI for names? Just read them like a person.
That would make me lose it honestly. Like your whole family is there and the screen is showing different names?? That’s not small.
AI can’t even get my Walmart app right half the time, so I’m not surprised it messed up graduation. They shoulda tested it, but I feel like the president tried to talk over the boos which kinda makes it worse.
I saw a clip where the names stopped entirely and I was like wow that’s embarrassing. But also… maybe the wrong students were walking out of order? Like I don’t know, it’s possible both things happened. Still though, the whole point is timing so if it’s freezing, that’s kinda insane for an official ceremony. Also “corrected during the ceremony” sounds nice but what about the people whose names already got missed?