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Stanford Senior Warns of AI Job Fears in NYT Op-ed; NASCAR Pays Tribute to Legendary Driver Kyle Busch; Pope Leo Warns AI Could Fuel Warfare Without Oversight; Storms and Heavy Rain Threaten Memorial Day Flooding Across Eastern U.S. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired May 25, 2026 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN HOST: Tat are going through this process now either applying to schools and trying to figure out like what am I going to -- what path am I going to go down. Or another brother graduating from grad school sort of in this in this similar reality since a lot of statistical analysis is part of what he does. And many students and young grads see AI as a threat -- as a threat to jobs. But you also describe, as you just said, people using it as an opportunity. I just wonder how our students sort of reconciling those two realities, I mean have you seen it get abused?

THEO BAKER, JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR, SENIOR AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY: Yes, absolutely, of course. I don't think I know a single person who hasn't used it to cut a corner on some assignment here or there. But that makes a lot more sense when you understand how the incentive structures have been aligned, that a lot of people who come to institutions like this one no longer view education as the first priority, rather it's getting a job or getting rich in some other fashion. Their education has taken a back seat in the institutional priority.

JIMENEZ: You know, you write that higher education was not equipped for the AI revolution. How do you change that?

BAKER: Well, look, I think there's some understanding that's starting to happen now. Stanford for 120 years banned proctored exams because the idea was that students would be honorable and report themselves. Of course, that doesn't happen anymore. So just in April, Stanford finally allowed for proctored exams again. And by junior year, 49 percent of the computer science majors who responded to the annual campus survey that many of us take said that they would rather cheat on a task than fail. So the incentive structures here are all about self-presentation, especially in Silicon Valley, where you can get very, very, very far ahead if you know how to say the right buzzwords.

JIMENEZ: You know, I want to ask about your book to "How to Rule the World" because New York Times described your book as a rigorous, self- assured, propulsive, at times terrifying portrait of a dweebocracy that sets the agenda for the planet. I don't know if you agree with that review. Maybe you do. But what is this dweebocracy and how does it fit into sort of what you found on campus and in this class that the New York Times describes sets the agenda for the planet?

BAKER: Yes, right. So I'm writing about the kids who are learning how to rule the world and about what they're learning from those who already do. There's this class of people who are teenagers, effectively, who are tapped on the shoulder and identified as the next trillion dollar startup founders. And for them, there are yacht parties and slush funds and shell companies.

But more than that, there's a system that incentivizes cut corners. As we've been talking about with the AI stuff, you know, this is especially pronounced when you have pre-idea funding being thrown at you and you know that the largest promises that you make will end up giving you the shortcut into the very upper rungs of society. And these people have a tremendous amount of influence over the technology that governs all of our lives. And what they are being trained to become is the next Elizabeth Holmes or Sam Bankman-Fried, who know how to cut corners to get ahead.

JIMENEZ: Theo Baker, author of "How to Rule the World in Education and Power" at Stanford University. Also a senior there, setting the bar high for seniors everywhere. But I appreciate you being here early on this Memorial Day morning for us. Good to see you.

All right, meanwhile, there's a flooding risk for millions of Americans this Memorial Day. The severe weather in the South and big parts of the East Coast, we are watching it all. We'll bring you the details there.

Plus, pour one out for Schlitz. It's last call for one of America's most iconic and top-selling beers.

[09:35:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Omar, my buddy, my pal, it is Memorial Day. And of course, you are working here, CNN, it is a dream job, at least for most of us. I know it is for me.

But you in fact working today, that really makes you an outlier because just take a look here. OK, Memorial Day, a paid holiday off. Look at this 90 percent of Americans say that yes, Memorial Day is in fact, a paid holiday off for them.

You are part of the minority, although I would say you know what any type of group in which you're a part of, it's a group I want to be a part of, but you're a part of just the 10 percent of Americans who in fact do not get a paid day off for Memorial Day. Now I know later on today, you are in fact going to want to get out of the office. And one of the things that of course, we do on Memorial Day is we like to barbecue and what types of foods do Americans like to barbecue the most?

Well, 39 percent say beef, you know, we got some hamburgers right up here. Those look pretty gosh darn juicy. Although I'm a bigger fan of the chicken, as chicken has become more popular in America. Look at that, the 27 percent here. 11 percent say pork, I'm sorry, 11 percent, I'm not with you. It ain't kosher, I can't have it.

How about fish? I mean, you know what, I like staying healthy. So how about the 10 percent who say fish?

You add in some vegetables here. This to me makes a pretty nice Memorial Day barbecue, right? Some veggies, some fish, some chicken, that gives A plus to me.

Now, of course, Memorial Day, Memorial Day weekend. Is this in fact the unofficial start of summer? Will I in fact be able to go to the beach for the rest of summer?

Well, you know what, a lot of Americans say that, yes, Memorial Day weekend is in fact the unofficial start of summer here at 45 percent. Now, if I were a student, I'd be with the 41 percent who say, you know what, summer unofficially starts when the school's in fact let out. But you know what, I haven't been in school for a long period of time.

Thank God, I hated school. Though it did in fact prepare me for my, you know, my career. So I guess in that part I like it.

Or perhaps the 10 percent say when you take your summer vacation, but you know what, that's not happening for me until at least July.

[09:40:00]

I can't wait that long until, you know, summer at least unofficially starts for me. But perhaps, though, the biggest part of summer this year, you know I have to go here, Omar, because I'm such a big fan of Taylor Swift.

And that is the wedding this summer between, of course, Tay-Tay and her lover, Travis. Where is that wedding going to be? Well, if you look at the Kalshi prediction market, boom.

The chance that it's in New York City has been up like a rocket. We all thought it was going to be in Rhode Island. But now we think it's going to be, in fact, in New York City, probably going to happen in early July.

But you know what, I can't wait for these two to tie the knot because they make a perfect couple. And you know what, I love, love Omar. And that, my friend, is a happy Memorial Day or a Memorial Day to you.

[09:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JIMENEZ: The NASCAR world is honoring the life and legacy of racing icon Kyle Busch. He died suddenly at the age of 41 after severe pneumonia. CNN's Coy Wire has more in the tribute at yesterday's Coca- Cola 600 just outside of Charlotte.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Hi, Omar. Yes, Kyle Busch was supposed to race yesterday. Instead, the race transformed from a sporting event into a memorial with nearly 95,000 fans saying goodbye to one of the fiercest competitors the sport has ever known.

And before the race, emotions overflowing for his wife, Samantha, son, Brexton, daughter, Lennix, parents, Tom and Gaye, and brother, Kurt Busch, standing in the infield. Samantha clung to Brexton, who wore dad's trademark number eight hat. Behind them, every driver lined up in silence.

NASCAR is a family. Star driver Kyle Larson's son, Owen, showing that he's there for Brexton. For fans remembering how Busch drove like every lap was his last lap, it was a moment that hit like a pile up to the heart.

And fittingly, a race filled with chaos, 12 cautions over nearly five grueling hours ended with one of Busch's proteges, Daniel Suarez, taking the checkered flag. He dedicated to win to the man who helped pave his road to NASCAR.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL SUAREZ, COCA-COLA 600 WINNER: It's been a very tough week. You know, Kyle, he was a special man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you. I apologize.

SUAREZ: We won it for Kyle, for Kyle, for Samantha, for Brexton, for Lennix, for all his family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: All right, let's go to the NBA. The Western Conference Finals game for the Spurs held Oklahoma City to its second lowest postseason total of the season. Victor Wembanyama, 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and just before halftime, a half-court buzzer beater that dropped cleaner than a mic drop at a comedy club.

At 7'5", he's basically a skyscraper scraper with a jump shot, and the only thing apparently that he can't do is fit comfortably into an airplane seat. San Antonio cruises 103-82 to even this series at two apiece.

All right, tennis' second major of the year, the French Open began Sunday in Paris. Novak Djokovic got off to a winning start, but American Taylor Fritz, the seventh seed, suffered an early exit from Roland Garros, losing to 148th-ranked compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy. The match featured three tie breaks before Nishesh closed it out in four. Men's favorite Jannik Sinner begins his campaign Tuesday.

Now, a historic and dramatic finish at the 110th Indianapolis 500. Closest finish ever, Omar. After a record-breaking 70 lead changes, it all came down to the final lap.

Felix Rosenqvist beating David Malukas by just two hundredths of a second. That's after 500 miles of racing, Omar. The last time a race came anywhere close to being this tight at the finish was way back in 1992.

For Rosenqvist, who just welcomed a child earlier this month, you can see that those sleepless nights, Omar, apparently have no problem with him. He didn't slow him down one bit as he got that great win and a cold glass of milk at the end.

JIMENEZ: Why not? It's incredible that that race, hundreds of miles, comes down to just that amount.

Meanwhile, a scary scene at South Carolina's Atlantic Beach. At least 19 people were injured in a stampede, and it happened during the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival. Authorities say it started when an individual began running, which caused a chain reaction within the crowd. Several people were taken to the hospital. None of the injuries, though, believe to be life-threatening.

This morning, Pope Leo is sounding a global warning about the risks of artificial intelligence. In his first major teaching document, the Pontiff says AI could help fuel conflicts around the world if it's not properly controlled.

[09:50:00]

He calls for strict ethical limits, especially when it comes to the use of AI in warfare. The Pope warns AI must not be controlled by just a few. He also says AI must protect jobs and be governed by strong rules, independent oversight and accountability.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO: Artificial intelligence already touches many areas of our lives and affects decisions that shape human coexistence. It is also dramatically changing how war is waged. Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: The 235-page document, believe it or not, was developed with input from Anthropic, an AI company at odds with the Trump administration over the use of its technology in military operations.

And then Stephen Colbert backed on the screen -- just a different one -- a day after his late night exit. He made a surprise return to a Michigan public access show he last hosted in 2015.

It's called Only in Monroe, as in Monroe, Michigan. He was joined by fellow Michigan natives Jack White and actor Jeff Daniels.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN COLBERT: Jack, thanks so much for being here.

JACK WHITE: Thank you for having me.

COLBERT: You know, you got a lot of equipment over there. Left your wax cylinders at home. Shall we eat these lady in the tramp style? WHITE: No.

COLBERT: Jack.

WHITE: Yes.

COLBERT: I need your help.

WHITE: OK.

I've never done that with a girl or a person.

COLBERT: You know, thank you for bringing that up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: I'd like to think public access viewers were just completely confused at what was going on. Back on network TV, his final episode of The Late Show drew more than six million viewers, which was the most watched on a weekday of his 11 year run.

And it's also a last call for someone else, something else, a once iconic beer founded in 1849 in Milwaukee. Schlitz was once the top selling beer in America. But then over the weekend, the Wisconsin Brewing Company was given permission by Schlitz's parent company to brew one final batch. The last packs of Schlitz have already sold out.

The company has a waiting list in case they're permitted to brew a second batch. But the end of an era.

All right, millions of Americans across the East are facing a flood threat on this Memorial Day holiday. The chance for heavy rain extends from Florida's Gulf Coast to New York. I want to get right to meteorologist Derek Van Dam, who is tracking all of it for us.

Derek, what are you seeing out there? Not a great unofficial start to summer.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No, I wish it was. We have to actually wait and tell the rest of the week when everybody returns from a holiday weekend to get back into the warmth, get back to the sunshine, because right now as it stands, the atmosphere is primed. It's ready and it's loaded to rain.

And that's what's going to happen for the rest of the day today. If you live anywhere across the Gulf Coast states and even into the mid- Atlantic as well, there is just so much moisture in the atmosphere, a very summertime setup that we have. And I don't think you need me to repeat this to you.

If you've had plans, they've definitely been impacted by the weather. I just step outside and you know that Mother Nature can't quite make up its mind between heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and just light sprinkles, but definitely wet on the roadway. So if you're traveling to and from your holiday plans today along I-12, US-10 or Interstate 10, it will be impacted by rain and we could get some localized flash flooding as well.

Look at that band of rain coming off the Gulf Coast. More on that in just a moment.

By the way, there is a ground stop at Ronald Reagan Airport in D.C. at the moment because of low clouds, lots of precipitation moving through the I-95 corridor. And then this pulse, this kind of disturbance moving in from the Gulf Coast will bring rain to Jackson, Birmingham and Atlanta, two to four inches of precipitation over the next three days. But watch this. This is the excessive rainfall outlook.

Some of these same locations from Atlanta to New Orleans will be included within this multiple days of excessive rain, the potential for flash flooding. And that's going to keep our temperatures in check as well. But the good news is we're coming off of a cool weekend in D.C. and New York. It warms back up the rest of the week -- Omar.

JIMENEZ: Derek Van Dam, appreciate it.

And then tonight, watch as CNN followed a group of centenarian World War II veterans to Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We witnessed how these landscapes unlock memories for the lives lost and lived thereafter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sniper was in that steeple. Oh, I was a mess. Now, I understand that all these boys was in the attack here and none of them left but me.

[09:55:00]

I remember I walked over and said this prayer that I want something to hold on to. And this vision came to me.

And it was Christ put out his hand to me, but he didn't touch me. And he left, I says he appeared as he walked over to me. And that vision stayed with me all to this, to this day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: "WHY WE DREAM" premieres tonight at 8 p.m. on CNN on this Memorial Day, as we honor those who paid the ultimate price.

Now, this is the part of the show where usually I'm sitting next to John, Kate and Sara. We have a little chat, talk about what we're doing today.

But seeing as it's just me, I will say thank you for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL, "THE SITUATION ROOM," up next.

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