University of New Hampshire to use AI-generated recordings to announce names at graduation again
By Kendra Broddus
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DURHAM, New Hampshire (WMUR) — For the second year in a row, University of New Hampshire seniors will cross the stage in May with an artificial intelligence-generated recording announcing their names at graduation.
The university says the technology is being used to ensure names are pronounced correctly.
“This process aims to take the potential for human error out of this momentous occasion for our students,” a UNH spokesperson told News 9.
The university will again use Tassel, an AI software company that specializes in graduation ceremonies. According to its website, Tassel’s slogan is “Perfect Pronunciations For Every Graduate.”
However, some students say they are not pleased with the decision, especially on one of the biggest days of their undergraduate careers.
“I think that using AI to read our names is really impersonal,” said Madison Wilson, a first-generation college student at UNH. “It also doesn’t match the university’s commitment to sustainability. The university cares a lot about their sustainability initiatives, and generative AI uses a disproportionate amount of water and electricity.”
UNH English professor Cristy Beemer said having a person read the graduates’ name can lead to pronunciation errors. While Beemer said she is not in favor of AI, she believes it works in this case.
“When it comes to something like this, ensuring that students can record their names ahead of time and check the pronunciation, even down to, finding out whether the emphasis is on the right syllable or not, and they get to hear it beforehand and approve,” she said. “They’re still going to get that personal attention. They’re still going to get a congratulations and a handshake and pictures. And so I don’t think it’s really going to take anything away. I think it could only improve the situation.”
When UNH senior Alyssa Cataldo walks the stage in May, she said AI will not be announcing her name and she is choosing to opt out.
“Professors and syllabuses they say that, you know, if you use AI, you’re going to get sent to the dean. You’ll get zeros. You could even fail the class and have that bring down your GPA,” Cataldo said. “And then they turn around and use AI on one of the most important days of our lives.”
Cataldo also expressed frustration over how AI is impacting the job market for recent graduates.
“Right now, we’re all graduating in 2026. It’s like a really scary time to be graduating with just AI flooding, just the job market and everywhere,” she said.
Other students said they understanding the university’s goal of correct pronunciation but worry AI can still make mistakes.
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