like silicon from clay Michael Rosen book cover

Published By: AEI Press

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Like Silicon from Clay: What Ancient Jewish Wisdom Can Teach Us About AI

By Michael M. Rosen

As our society grapples with competing claims about artificial intelligence in today’s policy debate, technologists, philosophers, entrepreneurs, writers, artists, and elected officials have espoused approaches to AI advances that appear fundamentally at odds with each other. 

In this penetrating analysis of contemporary thought on AI, American Enterprise Institute Nonresident Senior Fellow Michael M. Rosen identifies and elucidates the arguments around allowing AI an increasing presence in our lives. More importantly, he posits that centuries of Jewish mythology hold important lessons about our relationship with technology: from the “golems” communal Jewish leaders purported to fashion from clay and imbue with the power to serve the greater good—at least, until those golems ran amok and wrought destruction—to the evil spirits called “dybbuks” that Jewish communities believe possess people and require exorcism, to their friendly cousin spirits called “maggids” that inspire the heights of human creative expression. 

Rosen explains how these legends enabled humans of old to understand themselves—and their creations. And he applies the legends’ lessons to the contemporary AI policy debate, presenting both general and specific recommendations for how to harness the power of our machines while curbing their darker possibilities. Ultimately, he argues that, while the technological present is evolving at breakneck speed, we must take a moment to reflect on how our past can inform our future. 

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Reviews

Michael Rosen has charted AI as if it were a modern creation myth, showing us the players, their dreams and fears, and the slim path we all now walk between Scylla and Charybdis.

Erik Hoel, author of "The World Behind the World"

Michael Rosen’s novel mix of inquiry methods makes for a most entertaining and insightful journey toward understanding the ways artificial intelligence will affect modern societies, exploring how we humans can start to think about managing both the applications and the unexpected effects AI will inevitably engender.

Bronwyn Howell, nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute

Rosen’s portrayal and analysis of AI . . . is impressive, and his style of writing is friendly and engaging. The insights and lessons he applies from the Jewish mystical sources dealing with the golem and the dybbuk are the added value
of his project to the burgeoning literature on AI.

Yoram Bilu, professor emeritus of anthropology and psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; author of “The Return of the Dybbuk: Between Ritual Healing and Stage Performance”

A thoughtful and rich examination of the future of AI as a profoundly transformative technology that offers promise to society. In his engaging and insightful style, Rosen calls for a balanced and hands-on approach that will direct AI for a positive impact.

Orly Lobel, author of "The Equality Machine: Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future"; Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, University of San Diego

Excerpt

In this penetrating analysis of contemporary thought on AI, American Enterprise Institute Nonresident Senior Fellow Michael M. Rosen identifies and elucidates the arguments around allowing AI an increasing presence in our lives.

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