At Stanford University on Sunday (June 14), more than 100 graduates staged a walkout during Google CEO Sundar Pichai‘s commencement address. The students protested against Google’s involvement in Project Nimbus, which provides cloud and AI services to the Israeli government. As they exited, the graduates chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “No Tech for Apartheid,” expressing their opposition to the tech giant’s contract with Israel.
The protest disrupted what began as a typical commencement ceremony, with nearly 6,000 degree recipients and their families gathered under the sunny skies. The event featured Stanford’s traditional Wacky Walk, where graduates don costumes for their procession. Despite the interruption, Pichai, a Stanford alumnus, continued his speech, focusing on themes of optimism and pursuing meaningful work, while avoiding the contentious topic of artificial intelligence.
The demonstration is the latest development in a prolonged campaign against Google’s ties to Project Nimbus. In 2024, the company faced backlash for firing employees who protested the project at its campuses in California and New York. The protest at Stanford reflects ongoing concerns about the ethical implications of technology and its use in global conflicts.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the walkout is part of a larger movement demanding that tech companies reconsider their partnerships with governments involved in controversial activities. The protest also highlights the growing activism among students and young professionals in the tech industry, who are increasingly vocal about the social and political impact of technology.
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