Can Artificial Intelligence Pasken? - Pt.3
A summary of a discussion on R’ Dovid Lichtenstein’s "Halacha Headlines" podcast, with R’ Dovid Cohen, R’ Hershel Schachter, R’ Zalman Graus, and R’ Yoni Levin
Part of a series. See previous parts here: Pt.1: “Adventures in ChatGPT-4 and Pesak: A Confluence of Technology and Tradition” ; Pt.2: “The Intersection of Halacha and Artificial Intelligence - Pt#2”
This blogpost is a summary of the following podcast episode:[1]
R’ Dovid Lichtenstein (interviewer), “6/10/23 – Shiur 422 – Can AI Pasken ? Will Artificial Intelligence ever replace Rabbonim?”, Halacha Headlines Podcast (June 10, 2023)
The interviewees are following Ultra-Orthodox rabbis: R’ Dovid Cohen, R’ Hershel Schachter, R’ Zalman Graus, R’ Yoni Levin.
Summary
Several reasons for skepticism by the interviewees towards the ability of AI to replace human involvement in Halakhic practice:
Human Judgment and Experience
While AI can learn and process large amounts of information, it lacks the ability to exercise human judgment and cannot replicate personal experience, both of which are fundamental for making nuanced religious rulings.
Divine Guidance
The importance of Siyata Dishmaya or divine guidance in issuing Halakhic rulings. This is viewed as a spiritual dimension inherent in the process that a machine, by its very nature, cannot access or understand.
Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions
Interpretation of religious law is considered more than just the application of knowledge; it involves ethical and spiritual dimensions that, as of now, a machine cannot encapsulate. An AI lacks the human spirit or Neshama (soul), which is considered important in the transmission of the religious law or Masorah (Jewish religious tradition).
Carriers of Tradition
AI is not a Ba’alei Masorah, meaning it's not part of the carriers of tradition who receive and transmit the religious law. Tradition (Masorah) or local customs (minhag) can override the written law ('halacha') in certain instances, an aspect that AI cannot understand or participate in, due to its non-human nature.
Trustworthiness
The concept of trustworthiness. They conclude that a machine, being unable to lie or tell the truth, cannot hold a religious or legal position that requires faith and trust.
Roles Reserved for Humans
Certain roles are explicitly reserved for humans, and specifically Jews, according to halacha. Such as: acting as a religious judge, witness, or writing religious texts. Therefore, a computer cannot fulfill these roles.
Community Roles of Rabbis
Rabbis play crucial roles in communities beyond making Halakhic rulings, including their roles in religious ceremonies and as spiritual and emotional support for community members. An AI would lack the ability to serve in these human-centric capacities.
Dynamic and Organic Nature of Halakhic Rulings
The process of making Halakhic rulings is dynamic and can adapt over time. It's an organic process involving not just the knowledge of law, but also divine guidance that can change and adapt according to the situation. An AI lacks this dynamic and adaptive capacity.
[1] Summarized using Whisper and ChatGPT4.