Exploring the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Jewish Legends

In a recent special issue on artificial intelligence, Moment Magazine delved into the fascinating connection between AI technology and the ancient golem legends found in Jewish texts. Golems, mythical creatures made of mud or clay, are brought to life to protect Jews in times of danger. Similarly, AI, which utilizes large language models to gain knowledge, relies heavily on language for its existence and evolution.

When asked about the comparison between golems and AI, ChatGPT highlighted a key difference. While a golem operates based on the instructions of its creator without the ability to learn from experiences, artificial intelligence systems can perform intelligent tasks, learn from data, and exhibit autonomy.

However, recent golem novels challenge this notion, depicting golems that learn, seek romance, and even embark on quests for revenge. Books like “The Golem of Brooklyn” by Adam Mansbach and “The World That We Knew” by Alice Hoffman explore the complexities of golem characters and their interactions with humans.

In the magical world of Helene Wecker’s “The Golem and the Jinni” and its sequel “The Hidden Palace,” immigrant golems and jinnis navigate turn-of-the-century New York, using their powers to shape the world around them.

As Spertus Institute gears up for its Critical Conversations event on Artificial Intelligence, Jewish Ethics, and the Future of Humanity, experts will come together to discuss the implications of AI on society and ethics. To learn more about this event, visit spertus.edu/conversation and make your reservation to join the conversation.