NTU’s AI Ambassador performs at recent convocation event, netizens are puzzled
Fresh graduates finally received their degrees during Singapore’s convocation season.
However, some graduates were caught off guard during a recent convocation ceremony at Nanyang Technological University of Singapore (NTU). They had mixed feelings about the school’s decision to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during their long-awaited graduation.
A graduation song was played at the event, featuring human and AI
In a TikTok video, a recent graduate shared the moment when the school played a graduation music video as a farewell gift to the students.
@siaoar You could tell the audience was shocked #ntu #graduation #sg #sgtiktok
The music video is titled: “A new kind of graduation song: Human x AI“.
Composed by Professor Louis Phee, the song combines both human and AI. The song features NTU graduates Kenji Ng and Vivien Yap, as well as NTU’s Generative AI persona, Hailey.
In the music video, the singers walk around the school grounds, engrossed in singing while showcasing some of NTU’s notable spots.
However, Vivien is not present in the video and is rather replaced with Hailey.
Students were stunned by the music video
The Original Poster (OP) says that his group chat was flooded with tons of confused messages as the song played.
Source: @siaoar on TikTok
The messages questioned the usage of AI, finding it shameful to use an AI persona for a song.
The OP ends off the video by asking, “So what do you think about this AI-generated baddie?”
Who is the “AI-generated baddie”?
Since the emergence of ChatGPT in 2022, NTU has been open about its advocacy in integrating AI into its school system.
In early 2024, NTU decided to experiment with AI to produce their student magazine, HEY!.
View this post on Instagram
They used generative AI and ChatGPT to create Hailey, a hyper-realistic persona, as their cover talent.
Since then, Hailey has been featured in various NTU projects such as interviews with professors, hosting campus tours and even winning creative media awards.
As Singapore’s first university generative AI ambassador, Hailey is NTU’s way of embracing the AI revolution in the modern world.
Is the guy in the video a real person?
Amongst the AI discourse, many netizens also wondered if Kenji was even a real person.
Plot twist, he is indeed a real human being!
Kenji is a 25-year-old Singaporean singer-songwriter who graduated from Nanyang Business School in 2025.
Source: @ngkenjister on Instagram
In an exclusive with MS News, Kenji shares his side of the story and his involvement in the song.
While he was not involved in the songwriting and production, the school reached out to Kenji after seeing his previous Mandopop releases, offering him a vocal spot in the song.
With regard to the use of AI, Kenji says that he was aware that the project was introduced as a “Human X AI collaboration” from the very beginning.
Source: @ngkenjister on Instagram
“My family and friends were genuinely thrilled for me when the project was announced,” he says. “It’s a real honour, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of NTU’s official graduation song.”
Speaking to MS News, Kenji also shares that his Instagram DMs were flooded on the morning the TikTok was posted (23 July). Several of his friends had also forwarded him the video.
View this post on Instagram
He says he was unaware of the song at the graduation until he saw the TikTok.
Kenji states, “At the end of the day, I can’t control how people perceive the song or the music video. Just like AI itself, there will always be both supporters and critics.”
“I think that’s naturally part of any Human × AI collaboration, including NTU’s graduation song.”
Source: @ngkenjister on Instagram
Netizens feel troubled over the school’s decision
While NTU’s embrace of AI is not new news, many netizens feel disappointed over the school’s decision to lean on AI.
Many questioned why the school did not source its own students from the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM).
Source: TikTok
Some say that the music video aligns with the school since the students probably used AI for their assignments.
Source: TikTok
A few point out that even though Hailey is a generative AI persona, the voice behind her is still from a real person.
Source: TikTok
Although many express disapproval in NTU’s embrace of AI, the AI revolution still continues to reshape the education system and workforce in Singapore.
In light of this situation, MS News has reached out to NTU for further details.
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Featured image adapted from @siaoar on TikTok and NTUsg on YouTube.