Featured Video: How to Be Human in the Age of AI

Whitman College alum and National Correspondent at The New York Times Cecilia Kang ’94 delivered a moving speech at Whitman’s 138th Commencement Ceremony—30 years after her own graduation. 

“What you know and how much you know won’t be as important as how you think, how you feel and how you love,” Kang said. 

Kang reports on the intersection of technology and public policy, and she offered graduates three ways to lean in to their humanity in the evolving world of artificial intelligence. 

1. You can’t replace curiosity.

“Never stop asking questions—and think critically and rigorously,” Kang said. “It’s more fun anyway than just learning and reciting facts.”

2. Ask yourself, “What is my why?”

“You will be faced with hard choices. The higher the stakes, the more complicated those choices may seem,” Kang said. “Be led by your why and not tactics like ‘Move fast and break things’ or ‘Ask forgiveness later.’”

3. Lead with your heart.

“Put your relationships at the very top of your list of priorities,” Kang said. “Treasure relationships, and don’t take them for granted. AI won’t suffice or replace our human connection.”