More than two dozen rabbanim and roshei yeshiva are publicly banning the use of artificial intelligence chatbots such as the wildly popular Chat-GPT.
In the kol koreh, the morei derech write that such chats have the ability to ingrain the wrong hashkafos in people, as well as outright kefirah, abominations, and other harmful content. It adds that those who begin using it are opening the door to being exposed to a veritable minefield of poisonous perspectives.
“Therefore,” the 25 rabbanim and roshei yeshiva write, “it is assur to connect with and use artificial intelligence chats, whether via a phone, text, or computer, even for a necessary use, and kal vachomer for divrei torah.”
The kol koreh states that this ban is applicable to all men, women, and children. It also exhorts parents and educators to bear the responsibility of warning their children and students against using AI chatbots.
Importantly, the kol koreh notes that for those who need to use such chatbots in their business, “for the time being there is no solution on how to allow it,” but there will be future discussions on ways AI chatbots can be incorporated for business uses.
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32 Responses
Can someone please explain how AI is different then what comes up on a regular search. Yes I do agree there is a problem. for example if you Google a word like mishkon or the English word tabernacle you are very likely to get search results from some messianic congregation as well as some good sites so you don’t open the problematic site With AI they take information from a bunch of sources so if you google the word mishkon you’ll get a paragraph which is put together from no good sources. But for a regular type of search like you want to know the price of tea in China what is the problem?
Ask it to give non-kofer answers.
They tried to ban the Rambam.
They tried to ban the printing press.
They tried to ban the cell phone.
They tried to ban texting.
They tried to ban the internet.
They tried to ban…………
These gedolim are unfortunately being told lies and divrei guzma by their immediate shamashim. It’s doing a HUGE disservice to the yirei shamayim who will inevitably have to use these things.
We all know how this will turn out.
First people will do this in private. Then the rabbanim will scream at these people. Then, in fifteen years, when they realize that the majority of the frum community uses this stuff in a daily basis and there is no turning back, they’ll issue a non-sensicak “hetter parnasa” which can ONLY be issued by a competent posek… ridiculous.
What the Gedolim SHOULD do is issue a “strong recommendation” and inform people about the TRUE dangers of these programs and what it will do to Torah society. How do we live with this as oppose to ignoring it.
This is only making people lose respect for these Gedolim. I am not alone.
If you can mamish have a 100% insular community, go for it. For the rest of us, this is passé and useless.
Ban Google too!
Which one is better AI or YWN?
וודאי לשון הרע vs ספק ????
GROW UP
1. A chashuve rav once said – ‘every time a kol korei comes out which many won’t listen to, the ONLY’ thing the author gained was delegitimization of our rabbis’
2. No kol kore ever came out against google search. Why is AI any different – because it has a shmansy name??
3. Whoever is behind the kol kore, and you know who you are – you know very well that when a question is asked a certain way, you’ll get the answer and signatures you want.
4. To the the kol kore author – my name is Mordechai.
What’s yours?
Disclaimer;
a) I’m a religious guy like all of you and highly respect these Rabbonim of ours.
b) Seeing as many kol kores are fake, i take the liberty to assume the same here
1) Lol. Who’s going to listen? Nobody who doesn’t listen about having a kosher phone, which is most of the orthodox world. Why do they waste what power they have?
2) You can’t just create ‘issurim’. Are they the Sanhedrin hagadol or something? Are they doing a cheirim in beis din?
3) The tool is not the problem. Guns kill. Not ossur to have or handle. Cars can be driven to bad places. Not ossur to have or use. Wikipedia, libraries, stores, etc all provide ‘access’ to bad stuff and bad topics, but that doesn’t make them fundamentally ossur. Some things are definitely bad ideas and one will have to answer to hashem for placing oneself in the grip of such nisyonos, but they are not ‘ossur’.
This is honestly laughable do they even know what ai is used for it’s actually very useful and I can’t imagine In 5 years how a business would survive without it the Rabbonim don’t even know what’s ai is they are being lied to and either way anyone who’s got internet that’s not for business use which is crazy that they try to ban it 😂 is not listening anyway so all they’re doing is spreading lashon harah because that’s all that’s going to happen from this rabbonim should not try to sit and bam every thing cause then no one end up taking them seriously and there is no problem with ai
It seems that the Rabbonim were caught flat-footed in regard to AI. Pre AI, if you had a kosher phone you were safe from the possible internet dangers. Post AI, any phone including kosher phones can access the whole internet through AI with their phone and texting capabilities.
This is what happens when a burned out kollel yungerman (who should have gone out to work 10 years ago but instead just hocks in the BMG coffee room all day and whose wife works 3 jobs to support the family) has a great idea to make up a nonexistent problem and run to the gedolim to “warn” them about it. I got to give him credit he did a pretty good job getting so many people to sign this statement full of nonsense and exaggerations.
It’s no different than Google search which tons of yirei Shamayim use whether for work or because they are planning a vacation or because they want to know what time the supermarket around the block closes… If anything ChatGPT and Bard are better because they don’t respond to profanity while google search is more problematic. People should have a filter in their head and of course when kids are around then basic filters are required m’Ikkar haDin to make sure the kids do not see inappropriate stuff.
Why did klal Yisroel fall for this anti tech religion? There are other things that al pi shulchan aruch are much more problematic like tznius issues and the likes… or people speaking loshon hara…
For all practical purposes, the Kol Koreh may be irrelevant given that AI-powered software is already built into thousands of apps used in everyday commerce from a simple bank deposit, tech support tools on multiple technology platforms, airline reservations etc. While it is easy to avoid connecting directly to platforms like Chat-GPT, its virtually impossible to avoid embedded AI in other apps.
P.S. Those who really care, probably won’t be using the internet anyway.
It’s a shame the Rabbonim didn’t just ask ChatGPT for a response, which it generated for me in about 2 seconds when I asked it for a rebuttal to the above article (too bad the kol korei isn’t so sensible). Here is what it said:
Embracing Dialogue and Education: A Balanced Approach to AI Chatbots
The recent kol koreh advocating for a ban on artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, such as Chat-GPT, highlights concerns regarding the potential dissemination of harmful ideologies and objectionable content. While it is essential to address these concerns, an outright ban on AI chatbots may not be the most effective or nuanced solution.
The ban proposed by the rabbanim and roshei yeshiva raises legitimate worries about the potential risks associated with AI chatbots. The concern over exposure to harmful perspectives and ideologies is understandable, particularly when it comes to matters of faith and Torah values. However, a complete ban on AI chatbots may restrict opportunities for constructive engagement and meaningful discourse.
Instead of outright prohibition, a more balanced approach can be adopted. Educators, parents, and community leaders can play a vital role in guiding individuals, particularly children, on the responsible and discerning use of AI chatbots. By providing proper education and guidance, individuals can develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate potential pitfalls and identify and reject harmful content.
Additionally, rather than solely focusing on banning AI chatbots, efforts should be directed towards the development and implementation of effective content filtering mechanisms. Technological advancements can be made to ensure that AI chatbots are equipped with robust filters and algorithms to identify and prevent the dissemination of objectionable or contradictory viewpoints.
Furthermore, ongoing collaboration between AI developers and religious leaders can help tailor AI chatbots to align with specific religious values and beliefs. By incorporating religious guidelines and sensitivity into the design and functionality of AI chatbots, it becomes possible to create tools that respect and uphold religious principles while promoting positive and educational interactions.
It is also essential to acknowledge that AI chatbots can have valuable applications in various fields, including business and customer support. Balancing the concerns surrounding exposure to harmful content with the practical benefits of AI technology requires an ongoing dialogue between religious authorities, developers, and business professionals. This collaboration can lead to the development of appropriate safeguards and guidelines to ensure responsible use of AI chatbots in business settings.
Ultimately, rather than a blanket ban, fostering education, dialogue, and responsible development of AI chatbots offers a more comprehensive and constructive approach. By embracing technology responsibly and adapting it to align with our religious values, we can harness the potential of AI chatbots while safeguarding against potential pitfalls and harmful influences.
To be usable by Yidden, such a program would have to be programmed to reflect the norms of our community (as well as understanding both American and British English, Yeshivish and Brooklynese, Yiddish, and both Hebrew (both as used by frum Israelis as well as by secular Israels, which already have differences in vocabulary and grammar). It needs to know, for example, a the shiksa can be a pejorative in some contexts, a neutral word for a non-Jewish woman in others, and an small critter that lacks a backbone. Many types of computer programs need to be adapted when used by us, and the language and cultural dependence of “AI” (a misnomer, as it is simply a non-thinking set of computer instructions with no intelligence other than what the programmer simulate) means one needs to have a version designed by use by our community.
In other words, it needs a “hecksher” on it coding.
The internet is dangerous, AI is the internet on steroids. Why is it so complicated. I am sure in the early 1920s when the נסיון of Shabbos was the נסיון הדור the ליצנים said similar to all the above comments when gedolim spoke about the שמירת שבת. Gedolim have fore site, and can see into the future what ramifications can come. It’s humbling to realize that people know more than us. But it’s important if we want our children to still be Frum. Look with Internet did to Klal Yisroel already.
I am vehemently against AI not because of the above article, rather than it is going to turn our brains into mush. The more people use it, the more people don’t think for themselves. Students are using it to do their assignments instead of using their brains to think. Hardworking people will be out of jobs because they will be made redundant due to AI. We are going to have a generation of doctors, lawyers, and other professionals who coasted their ways through school with AI. It is a really scary thought.
It’s very sad how everyone is commenting against this kol koreh and assuming they’re making a mistake or it’s fake etc. Can we just have Emunas Chachamim and not assume that whatever we don’t understand is wrong?
@ProudModernYid
I deleted the app.
And you should watch your mouth.
I remember when tape recorders were prohibited. And if you went to a separate seating concert from Mordechai Ben David, you couldn’t come back to yeshiva.
It doesn’t really look like a lady it is only the average
Someone is barking up the wrong tree. When you chat with a bank rep through the help site, or Amazon, it’s often an AI bot. Does this mean that we cannot contact customer service?
AI is an open ended question. If you go looking for kefirah, it won’t hide anything from you. Does that make it more assur than going to the library? What about using the internet in the library for work when the sign clearly says that it’s only for personal or work use?
I mean this with complete seriousness: I thought the internet was already banned? Why does this even need its own ban?
A message to all the leitzanim here in the comments,
You do not have to worry you are totally free to use all the ai chatbots you want.
The ban on AI is only for those who care about their portion in the world to come.
Disregarding without the slightest bit of research, assuming the Rabbonim are simpleminded folk who wish to assur anything they can, is an opinion that you will have to face judgment for and there is no response other than “Moshe Emes Vitoraso Emes”.
I am going to add on my filter a block to AI (though I very much enjoy using it) and I hope any one with the smallest amount of respect for the Rebono Shel Olam and his Torah will at the very least talk to a LOR about.
May all the leitzany hador do teshuva in the near future.
I few things to consider evaluating this issue.
1. AI answers / queries half the time includes inaccurate information. It presents it as true facts.
2. I don’t know of a filter that filters AI answers.
3. When you search with bing.com or Google a reasonable person would discard some of the results unconsciously as won’t appear as reliable source.
4. These Rabbis are mostly against many issues related to technology. Texting, smartphone and more. Most likely they don’t have first hand knowledge using this technology.
5. I did a search among others about kosher animals AI informed me to make sure to only feed my livestock kosher feed in order to keep it kosher. Not everything it told me happened to be false but it is confusing by having three useful statements and mixing in a falsehood.
It doesn’t get the context all correct it will mix in other subjects sometimes. There was an attorney with Levidow, Levidow & Oberman licensed in New York for over three decades got in trouble using AI in court due to falsehood.
Yeshiva World, please remove this post. I understand it gets you lots of hits and gets people riled up, but all you are accomplishing is undermoning rabbanim. Let non Orthodox sites do that, why do you need to? This is an incredibly dangerous post, please reconsider what you’re accomplishing here. Or disable commets where people can just bash gedolim.
I don’t understand how YWN let’s kfira in their comments….
“This is what happens when a burned out kollel yungerman (who should have gone out to work 10 years ago but instead just hocks in the BMG coffee room all day and whose wife works 3 jobs to support the family) …There are other things that al pi shulchan aruch are much more problematic like tznius issues and the likes… or people speaking loshon hara.”
–yanky the wise
I agree with erb, more than with TRK (non offense meant). YWN should be more careful when posting such material to disallow comments on this post. It is important to disseminate information that has Torah or moral values! Just report these findings and if people have difficulty with the content, at BEST they should use mailbox for that!
If the Akshunim wanted people to follow this, they would have printed it in English too.
The difference between AI and a Google search can perhaps be understood by the following comparison:
The Torah forbids images in certain shapes. What are images? Images are objects that can be seen to represent meaning.
But why just images shouldnt all objects be forbidden? Because all objects that are 3D or even 2D can be seen to have meaning?
A plain simple peice of wood also has meaning but it is not forbidden.
So why only when that piece of wood is shaped into the image of a person does it become an issue?
Because once an item takes on an image it becomes much more relatable and worship-able; this is especially so when the image and shape is that of a person.
A google search as harmful that that has proven to be for society at larg still does not take on the same appearance of a person with intellegence.
Artificial intellegence as you can see inthe name seeks as much as possible to emulate and present itself as a Human with inttelegence. The A of Artifical is a mere cover for the true intent of what AI is really aiming for.
ChatGPT constantly siad “Oh I’m just AI” but that is niether here nor their it is built to replicate a Person and thus it is super dangerous beyond our current ability to calculate.
Thank the Creator Blessed be he for our gedolim and leaders who have warned us about this matter and instead of headlong jumping into a unknow ruchnius destroying grip we can now seek to avoid such a terrible position.
ChatGPT acts like a human but worse… the Human and person using CHAT GPT sees ChatGPT in his middos and nefesh as a person, perhaps; What is the result of dealing with a human that has no body???
Thank you Hashem for this Kol Korei and saving us from being sheep without a shepherd!
@TRK is right the comment section should be turned off when a proclamation is coming from the Gedolim.
If someone wishes to discuss the Kol Korie he can do so privatly and with a Kovid Rosh. The internet offers anonymity and therfore makes it very dangerous in terms of discussing these matter with a Kolus Rosh C”V
I wrote a kind worded and not at all forceful letter to YWN and the Moderator of this forum, asking them to please take down the comments on this article that are openly and deliberately mocking, slandering and/or defaming gedolei yisroel. I specified one of the comments made by ProudModernYid above. I explained that there are already plenty of websites, blogs, and forums that openly mock gedolei yisroel. People are coming to YWN because they want “yeshiva world” news. They don’t want the garbage you get in these shameful blogs.
My letter, however, as well as the requests of many that I see posted here, was ignored completely. The reprehensible comments were not taken down.
Why? That’s the question I am plagued by.
Due to no other explanation being provided, I am forced to conclude that the views expressed by these commenters are not viewed by the moderators and editorial staff of YWN as being unacceptable. Apparently, these views are very much within the range of world views that are deemed acceptable by YWN to provide a forum for.
I think if that’s the case, the readers of YWN should be aware, that perhaps YWN is not just Yeshiva World News, but also a platform being provided for the slander and defamation of all the people and values the Torah world hold dear.
Realism: nobody on this list honestly thinks that anyone outside their community is going to pay this any heed.
That’s probably what they intended anyways, because it’s not dangerous except to people in insular communities (or all children) who don’t know how it works.
Those people think that it is an intelligence, that it thinks, decides, and responds. This leads to a disproportionate trust in its answers.
In short, I understand the concern for Lakewood, Skver, kids, and anyone else who can’t clearly explain how AI works.