Worst commencement speech ever? Sing-alongs, bitcoin and magic tricks at OSU graduation

This past year artificial intelligence has been all the rage with the launch of powerful new tools using the technology to improve online searches, modify photos and help writing texts. While the commencement speaker at Ohio State University posted on LinkedIn that he attempted to use ChatGPT to help him with his speech, but it just “wasn’t that good.”

Chris Pan, founder of MyIntent and 1999 OSU alum, said that he “wanted something extra heartfelt” as “we are in challenging times.” So he got some help from a different type of AI, “Ayahuasca Intelligence.” Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic brew from South America according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of Australia.

The result was something that will be memorable for the audience in the way that a bad trip is.

Ohio State commencement speech? Sing-alongs, bitcoin and magic tricks at OSU graduation

Pan, who is a “social entrepreneur, musician and inspirational speaker,” according to the OSU online profile for him, had thought about bring up the Israel-Palestine conflict in early drafts that he shared on Instagram according to the Columbus Dispatch.

However, he shied away from any direct comments on Gaza, merely mentioning that we must work to “end the suffering on both sides.” He also kept his shirt on, which he had contemplated removing in that earlier draft.

While his speech started off with the standard fare, it quickly went into the more bizarre and cringe-worthy. Just a couple minutes in he asked the crowd to “please stand and follow my movement.” Where upon he led a sing-along to “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes with the school leaders and faculty behind him joining in.

The first of two musical numbers, the second being “This Little Light of Mine” by Harry Dixon Loes with which he closed his speech. In between, though he tried to get them to gain perspective on the financial situation that they face going forward. He encouraged that they become financially literate and then flogged bitcoin to them.

He told them that “saving is not enough because inflation exploded after the pandemic which is why everything got so expensive.” He recommended that they invest for the future, the mechanics of which “are actually easy.” It simply “comes down to mindset,” he told the audience.

“The most common barriers are fear, laziness and close-mindedness. Great investors open-minded and understand things before other people,” he said before going where many in the audience wish he would’ve. “So I know this might feel polarizing, but I encourage you to keep an open mind right now. I see bitcoin as a very misunderstood asset class.”

The gathered assembly of over 12,000 graduates and their families could be audibly heard booing. However, Pan continued to share his vision and treated them to a magic trick with the help of OSU President Ted Carter to demonstrate putting bitcoin in their retirement savings.

Using four quarters to explain how over the four years that they’ve been at university, students have lost a quarter of their purchasing power. The last three he put into a little black bag which he then turned to Carter and asked, “Would you be the innovation open-minded breath?”

The OSU President blew on the black pouch a few times and out came a bitcoin. “I learned the magic trick last week just to be able to have this moment,” Pan shared. With the trick seeming to pan with the audience he went on with the rest of his speech.

The commencement speaker’s company, MyIntent, sells bracelets with custom messages on them. Pan announced toward the end of his speech that “as an apology for listening to me talk about bitcoin,” he would give every attendee there a free custom bracelet.