At the recently concluded 2026 Graduation Ceremony at Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), Professor Uri Sivan, President of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, took the stage to deliver a speech. He encouraged graduates to uphold the unique value of intellectual and emotional human intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence, to embrace challenges with the spirit of "Chutzpah," and to soar to new heights.

Full Speech：

Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to stand before you for this moment of joy and pride. Today, we are not merely conferring degrees, we are celebrating the culmination of your transformative four-year odyssey -- from curious newcomers into resilient, innovative, independent and courageous graduates.

Congratulations Class of 2026! You have thrived in a unique academic ecosystem, absorbing the wisdom of two most ancient cultures in the world, two cultures that cherish scholarship. Throughout the past academic years in GTIIT, you have been pushed to think critically, to challenge the limit of your imagination, and to embrace the relentless curiosity that defines a true GTIIT and Technion graduate. You have conquered the daunting challenges of a rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum with Technion academic standards, forging a resilient body and mind equipped with global vision and innovative spirit. Today, as you stand at the triumphant finish line, please give a big round of applause, not only for yourself, but also for your families, friends and teachers who have been your pillars of strength throughout this remarkable journey.

Dear graduates, today you are stepping into a global legacy that transcends borders. From this day forward, you officially become a member of the prestigious Technion Alumni Club. Whether you will continue the path of academia or join the front lines of industry, you have earned yourself one of the best entrance tickets to the world, a Technion degree. You are now part of a global network with over 100,000 alumni who have fundamentally changed the world for the better. You are joining the architects of tomorrow. Among your alumni peers are those leading innovations in technology, healthcare, engineering and science, developing the cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of humanity.

You have spent your university years at the exact epicenter of a historical hinge -- the dawn of the “Artificial Intelligence Revolution” whose emergence is not “just another industrial revolution,” as some try to portray it, because it touches the very foundations of human existence—foremost among them, independent thought. It is not an extension of our physical power, as the Industrial Revolution made possible, nor of our ability to communicate across continents or retrieve existing information, as the internet enabled. It is the outsourcing of the very essence that distinguishes human beings and gives everyone their uniqueness. In this context, one cannot help but return to the essence of human existence as formulated by the 17th-century philosopher René Descartes, who coined the phrase, “I think, therefore I am.”

In other words, each individual’s thinking is the proof of human existence.  And now, within reach of each of us, there is a superbrain—or a small number of superbrains—to which we are all connected. Minds that know more than any individual does, that can analyze vast quantities of information faster than we can, break problems down into their components, and present reasoned answers. The question of how we proceed from here as a society touches the deepest foundation of our existence.

Artificial intelligence challenges every aspect of our lives. The temptation to surrender to it is great, but in my view, we must resist it. We may rely on it, but we must remember that there is no substitute for human connection, for eye contact, for deep knowledge, for doubt and critical thinking and, above all, for the uniqueness of each and every one of us and for the shared values that define us as a society. Notwithstanding the opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence we must adhere to the ancient commandment of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, and the endless aspiration to making it a better place for the entire humanity.

We must therefore fight to ensure that the essence of our existence does not become prompt engineering but continues to rest on human intelligence—intellectual and emotional—in a world saturated with artificial intelligence. It is easy to receive a quick answer from AI to any question, but relying solely on that is a trap.

Class of 2026, the world you are entering is interconnected yet fractured, full of immense potential yet shadowed by complexity and challenges. Do not fear the uncertainty, embrace it. Your education at GTIIT has equipped you not just with answers, but with the ability to ask the right questions and to blaze trails into the unknown.

As you leave this campus, take with you the "Chutzpah", the courage to challenge the status quo and the compassion to help others. The Technion and GTIIT will always be your home. We will be watching with pride as you turn the "impossible" into reality.

Go forth with imagination, act with responsibility, and never lose your sense of curiosity.

Congratulations again, Class of 2026! May you soar to heights we cannot yet imagine.

Thank you!

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs