The Power of Bais Shamei and Bais Hillel vs. AI

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Several weeks ago, my family spent quality time together with our children and grandchildren during our summer vacation.

It is always an amazing treat for our family to spend quality time together and to enjoy the growth and development of our grandchildren. Unfortunately, these visits do not happen as frequently as we would like.

During our visit, over Shabbat lunch, we had a fascinating conversation regarding the positive and negative impact of AI on the manner in which society processes information and the technology’s impact on societal norms, standards, intellectual growth and education.

Our conversation over lunch slowly morphed into a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion about the myriad of ways in which Torah study, specifically how the intricacies and complexities of Gemara (Talmud) learning eclipses AI generated technology.

During the course of our conversation, we talked about the variety of ways in which AI transforms our thinking and how dependent society has become on this technology. We also talked about how AI generated thinking, irrespective of its current and potential impact, power or ubiquitous nature, will never compete with the complex multifaceted logical arguments and streams of reasoning evidenced through the brilliance of Talmudic analyses. In fact, Talmudic thought may provide us with a protective layer of cognition and problem solving and helps improve and facilitate higher order thinking.

The juxtaposition of AI generated cognition when compared to Talmudic generated knowledge, problem-solving and logical thinking is one which I never would have thought about until this conversation. To be sure, the cognitive power of  Talmud study and analysis  cannot be replicated or duplicated by AI technology – at least as we know it today.

This hypothesis can be evidenced through the detailed and complex halachic and legal debates between Bais Shamei and Bais Hillel as well as the conclusions attributed to there brilliant arguments and debates in the Talmud.

To think that AI technology can even begin to compete with the intricate, complex and higher-order thinking of Talmudic discourse of these two scholars and giants are beyond my comprehension.

Further evidence which may support or suggest the power of Talmudic thought over AI technology is indirectly detailed in a fascinating article by staff writer Leanne Fan in an insightful post entitled ” AI Reduces Critical Thinking” (The Nexus, February 16, 2024).

In this post, Fan posits how a reliance on AI technology restricts the development of critical thinking skills and can eventually lead to a less then desirable outcome.

These findings do not suggest or deny the tremendous value and importance of AI technology and the manner in which this tool has transformed and enriched our lives for the better. I sincerely appreciate the tremendous value and utility of AI technology. But I can also foresee a less than positive or desirable impact if we develop an overdependence on this powerfully immersive technology.

As I write this blog, I am reminded of a statement attributed to Professor Alan Dershowitz who is reported to have stated that the most successful law students at Harvard University were those who spend their high school years learning and studying the Talmud. In other wards, Talmud study sharpens the mind in unimaginable ways. And as long as we hold on to this most precious and valued treasure, we as a people reduce the risk of falling prey to an AI technology which can potentially (through its dependence and interdependence), reduce the risk of falling prey to an AI culture which can potentially atrophy our cognitive capacities and abilities.

In light of this brief concept, one can posit that AI generated thinking and cognition can potentially result in creating a society of poorly motivated, indolent, sluggish and dependent brains. And if this trend continues to evolve, we all run the risk of becoming a society of empty vessel automatons, dependent upon the pressing of computer keyboards in order to resolve complex questions and challenges.

The bottom line (of this blog) is to push us to understand and appreciate the protective power of Talmudic thinking and how Talmudic thought serves as a protective layer of higher order thinking in a society influenced and driven by technology.

The treasured gift of Talmudic study to acheinu bnai yisrael represents a powerful  protective layer of security which we as a people have been endowed with by HaShem. It prevents us from falling prey to the long term impact and dependency on AI mindfulness.

It is that very protective edge or layer of cognition which has helped us for generations to  realize what it truly means to be an Ohr LaGoyim and a Mamlechet Kohanim.

We are indeed fortunate to possess this amazing gift.

It is imperative that we cherish it, protect it, learn from it and expand our knowledge and values derived from it.