ChatGPT is one of many revolutionary Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that are popping up with increasing frequency and making a huge impact on society. Automation and machine learning have already helped with day-today tasks such as writing this article and passing medical licensing exams with no input from a clinician. They can even be used to design entirely new cancer drugs in a fraction of the time it would usually take!
This technology is no doubt a great leap forward in terms of our development and potential, however, it is also a cause for concern to those in professions facing potential automation. Just last month, news emerged that ChatGPT had passed the bar exam with a near 90th percentile score – an incredible achievement, albeit a slightly worrying one.
Fully autonomous electric vehicles are now prototyping, showing just how advanced AI has become. Even if this doesn’t replace people in some professions, as one cognitive scientist and AI researcher predicts, “Future ChatGPT versions could replace a majority of the work people do today!”
In light of this, we must pause to consider the implications of AI and our response. Too often, people identify themselves solely by their occupation. But our relationships, accrued wisdom and contributions to the world can never be replaced.
Jewish tradition teaches about a point in the future when all occupations will become obsolete and all people will be devoted to one purpose – to know God. This is encapsulated in the Torah of Maimonides, which this week marks a milestone in its completion.
In its conclusion, Maimonides paints a picture of a perfect world where everyone is free from labor and is finally free to be the person they were born to be. While ChatGPT is far from perfect, it could signify a step towards this messianic age. We simply hope that it comes soon.
