- Q. Kvod Rabbenu Shlit’a. As we are preparing for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, can one use the new AI programs that practically record, control and guide many in the every day tasks, work and undertakings, and thus have a great memory of many of the constant mistakes, sins, evil speech and bad behavior that one has, to give words of Musar and help someone make teshuva by warning the user of the wrong being done, after and before?
Would that not be an incredible great help for accomplishing Teshuva.
A. On question 3791 we addressed the following Shailah; “See questions above regarding the use of new computer programs, artificial intelligence and digital libraries as a help for learning Torah. Can one use such a program to give him Mussar and ethical spiritual discourses and awakening talks, giving concrete instructions on how to live a meaningful and ethical life?”
To what we answered: “It is likely questionable that one would listen to a machine’s reprove; reprimand; censure or reproach on bad conduct and admonishing one to conquer his Evil Inclination, overcome their particular moral challenges or to serve Hashem wholeheartedly.
Likely, it would not be very effective. However, one may program the computer to quote as necessary parts of the actual speeches and Musar lectures given by the Gedolei Hamusar. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.”
However, if indeed the program is effective in halting someone from doing wrongs and speaking in sin, it would seem rational that it could be used.
Nevertheless, one has to be very careful and extremely cautious on the limits of AI programs, since although they may appear to be very knowledged, intelligent and useful, in reality they are not human and do not process human feelings and qualities, that are essential to give good, real and effective counseling.
What an AI program may resolve and decide to advice, although in some instances it may be correct, in reality it does not know or share the real human feelings and sensitivity that people posses. In the end, the advice is likely to be wrong in many instances.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
