Even the Electronic Golem, aka AI, Knows What Israel Must Do in Order to Heal

Like many Israelis of all political persuasions, I am concerned about the future of the country. So, after learning that in addition to its usual usage — advice on which phone to buy or helping to plan a week in Greece — people also use artificial intelligence for mental health support, I decided to consult with several AI systems about my country’s troubles. Yes, I know it’s not a person answering questions, but I preferred not to admit that I was referring to Israel, so instead described a ‘person’ I claimed to know.

Among this individual’s problematic characteristics, I listed a tendency to ignore warnings, rejection of criticism, overconfidence, underestimating real threats while exaggerating minor ones, frequent use of force, making bad choices, and lack of insight – and empathy – regarding consequences of the person’s actions. Three AIs unanimously recommended urgent intervention.

They insisted that someone with these traits would struggle to maintain partnerships or relationships, and would find themselves increasingly exposed to conflicts and failures. They risked legal trouble, loss of their livelihood, and mounting loneliness and distress, due to reality’s failure to conform to their wishes and to their self-image.

The communal wisdoms agreed: Without therapy, these patterns would intensify, making change and healing even harder, while increasing the risk of harm to ‘the person’ and to others. Over time, a collision between their perceptions and reality would become inevitable. Ultimately, in a painful awakening, they would be forced to face the truth.

I went on to ask about an organization that operated in that manner. The word “toxicity” came up repeatedly. Over time, the organization’s effectiveness would decline, rivals would gain strength, support systems would be cut off. Without deep organizational change, so said the electronic golems, there is risk of irreversible damage.

Unprompted, the AIs explained that such organizations are typically run from the top down, and are guided by dual fear – leaders fear threats to their positions, while subordinates are afraid to express independent opinions. The uniformity this generates feeds the risks as described above. Moreover, there is no regard for employees or their needs, no support in times of crisis, and decisions are made solely for advantage.

In the short term, so the systems told me, people within the structure will do the minimum, and the most talented will start to leave. Later, public relations crises, legal issues, and even collapse are likely. The notorious example of ENRON, a highly innovative company once valued at $70 billion, was cited – its organizational culture led to its downfall. Also mentioned were armies (the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq) and a superpower, the Soviet Union.

The common thread in these failures: authoritarian leaders who were intolerant of criticism, a culture of sycophancy, corruption, lack of transparency, reckless risk-taking, and disregard for warnings. “Claude” wrote: “All these organizations behaved just like the person you first described: lacking empathy, rigid, unable to accept criticism, behaving differently towards the strong and the weak. The result was always the same: total collapse.”

I asked Claude how he sees Israel in five years. He answered: “The key will be the ability to reform the education system, increase diversity in the tech sector, and address social gaps, precisely the elements missing in those toxic organizations we discussed.” ChatGPT was asked about Israel at its centennial, in 2048. It responded: “Its stability will depend on its ability to maintain internal cohesion while carefully managing a changing external arena.”

I asked my third interlocutor, Perplexity, about Israel fifty years hence. The bottom line was: “Its survival will depend on its ability to weather crises, reduce internal divisions, and refine the civic and political discourse in response to regional and global developments. The key lies in innovation, flexibility, and the willingness of the political and social system to create a unifying national foundation, even in an environment of constant change.”

Even the algorithm in my palm knows what needs to happen in order for Israel to return to a viable path. One cannot but wonder, with ever-growing dread, if the country and its leaders will recognize the necessary changes, if they will awaken in time.