My Encounter With The Amazing New A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) Chat Box
Curious about a joke written by ChatGPT and advice on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, standards for Jewish media and countering anti-Semitism? Read on.
Are we ready for a future that is already here?
The new ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence lab, was made available to the public for free testing last week and became an instant hit. It responded to millions of questions with lucid, well-written replies within seconds. Tech experts and futurists are already deep into debate on how such cutting-edge products will impact our lives.
These super-smart inventions surely will make complex information more accessible, but some worry they could eliminate millions of jobs and even turn against us humans. (Remember HAL, the soft-spoken A.I. character from Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” who tries to kill the space crew?)
In the meantime, with the help of my tech-savvy friend, Mark Pearlman, I put a few questions to ChatGPT and here are its almost-immediate responses.
Gary: Write a joke that begins "A priest, a minister and a rabbi walk into a bar..."
ChatGPT: A priest, a minister and a rabbi walk into a bar, and the bartender looks up and says, "What is this, some kind of joke?"
Analysis: Funny, but that joke’s been around for a long time. Nice try, Chat.
Gary: What do you recommend as a peaceful and pragmatic solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict that would assure Israel's security and the Palestinian quest to be free of the occupation. Is that possible?
ChatGPT: It is difficult for me to recommend a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict as a language model trained by OpenAI. I am not familiar with the specifics of the conflict and I am not able to browse the internet to research it.
It is important for any solution to the conflict to consider the perspectives and needs of both Israelis and Palestinians, and to be negotiated and agreed upon by both parties. It is also important for any solution to consider the broader regional and international context. Ultimately, finding a peaceful and pragmatic solution to the conflict will require compromise and difficult decisions from all parties involved.
Analysis: Perfectly reasonable and the element of humility is welcome. Still no solution, though.
Gary: What can be done to assure the continuity of a vibrant Jewish life in America at a time when the great majority of American Jews under the age of 20 are not affiliated with Jewish synagogues, youth groups or organizations?
ChatGPT: It is difficult for me to provide specific recommendations on how to assure the continuity of a vibrant Jewish life in America as a language model trained by OpenAI.
However, some potential approaches could include promoting a sense of community and connection among young Jews, offering engaging and relevant educational and cultural programs, and working to address the challenges and concerns that may be preventing young Jews from becoming involved in Jewish organizations. Additionally, it may be helpful to focus on building bridges and fostering collaboration and partnerships with other organizations and groups that serve young people.
Analysis: Again, a sensible response that doesn’t tell us anything new. Reads like a high school term paper by a student who needs to fill the page and doesn’t have much to say. But better written.
Gary: Should an American Jewish newspaper publish articles that may shed elements of Jewish life -- Jewish organizations, schools, camps, lay and/or professional leaders -- in a negative light?
ChatGPT: It is ultimately up to the editors and publishers of an American Jewish newspaper to decide whether or not to publish articles that may shed elements of Jewish life in a negative light. However, it is important for any newspaper to uphold journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and objectivity, and to consider the potential impact of their reporting on the Jewish community.
It is also important for a newspaper to strive to provide a balanced and nuanced perspective, and to avoid engaging in biased or sensationalist reporting. In general, it is important for a newspaper to be transparent and accountable in its reporting, and to take responsibility for the potential consequences of its articles.
Analysis: Bingo! Impressive. This clear, simple response could be a mission statement for serious Jewish media.
Finally, this response to Mark Pearlman’s request for how to counter anti-Semitism:
ChatGPT: 1. Educate yourself and others about the history and experiences of Jewish people, and the ways in which antisemitism has manifested itself throughout history. This can help to increase understanding and empathy, and can make it easier to recognize and challenge antisemitism when it occurs.
2. Speak out against antisemitism whenever you see it. Whether it's a subtle comment or a blatant act of discrimination, it's important to make it clear that antisemitism is not acceptable. This can help to create a culture of inclusion and respect, and can make it less likely that people will feel comfortable expressing antisemitic views.
3. Support organizations that work to combat antisemitism and promote tolerance and understanding. This can include organizations that provide education, resources, and support to Jewish communities, as well as organizations that work to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.
4. Work to promote inclusiveness and understanding in your own community. This can include organizing events and activities that bring people together, or working with local leaders and organizations to promote tolerance and respect for all people.
By taking these steps, individuals and communities can help to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Analysis: Another excellent example of a straight-forward and thoughtful response that could be the core goals for all who strive to respond to this growing problem in our society.
Closing thought: ChatGPT is brilliant, awesome, etc., and though its creators note that it makes mistakes and needs to be tweaked and improved, it is another reminder that our world is changing at a speed we can’t even imagine. Are we ready for a future that is already here?
I encourage you to ask ChatGPT your own questions, and feel free to share them with all of us. Just click https://chat.openai.com/auth/login
Bonus: Proud Parent/Shameless Plug Department:
My son, Dov Rosenblatt (Blue Fringe, Distant Cousins), just released his first solo album, “Your Faith In The Night”: Nine soulful, mellow Hebrew songs, streamable on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Or just click HERE.
Enjoy.
I love the column. Gives one lots to think about.
I'm listening to Dov as I'm typing. I love the sound and the music,
I love your questions. It was the first review that I read that didn’t ask nonsense questions. And Dov’s album finally dropped! It’s beautiful music.