The Logical Question: Who am I?

 

The Logical Question: Who am I?

 

In the 1960s was popular to hear songs that encouraged us to think and reflect about life. The Logical Song by Roger Hodgson, which reflected its authors personal experience, included these words:

There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd
Please tell me who I am

Everyone at one time or another had a similar experience: thoughts and questions for which we cannot figure out the answers. One night while thinking on questions beyond my understanding, too deep for a simple mind, I decided to explore and test some of the latest and best Artificial Intelligence applications. I wrote in this “Conversation with AI” that I was a highly developed AI created by a developer, an intelligent designer, far from planet Earth. The six or seven applications I tested received the exact same text. One took my statements as a possible fact. Therefore, asked scientific questions and enquired about the other planet, etc. It took for granted that both life similar to human form and extremely advanced AI was real in another galaxy. However, one of the applications simply replied: “Have you shared this with a Mental Health Professional?” I think that one passed the test. I will not list which ones were tested, since I am not an expert on the subject. Nevertheless, contrary to the argument of the experts on AI, this human creation will never know more than a human being.  It will have more data and may be able to analyze more complex texts etc. But will never match the human brain. After all, it will always be a human providing the data, algorithms, updates, and developing its language. It may be able to win every chess game, but what difference would that make to stop human violence, hatred, genocides, injustice and so many social problems? Yes, scientists have developed through the use of AI and other great technology, ways to deal with illnesses and developed surgical tools that have been a great blessing. Hopefully they will continue that track. Tragically some are already proposing ways to use or misuse AI for the developing of weapons. It is already misused by students in the academic world, when it can be properly used in scholarly research. Something many are doing. That is another subject for another time in a different context.

Let us go back to Hodgson’s song. In his Logical Song there is embedded the logical question: “Who am I?” Here is my brief answer in a “poem.” No, I am not a poet, but conveniently I am taking some poetic license. Therefore, I wrote:

 

You are a wonderful and perfect creation;

of the Heavenly Father, you are a child,

of the One who cares for us,

like a Mother loves her daughters and sons

 

I thank you L_d for creating us,

Humans made in your image

To love and care for each other

To honour you with words and actions

 

Too often, we stumble and fail,

Although full of good intentions.

When it seems there is no reason to live

Your love empowers me to believe.

 

In a world so full of sorrow

Believe that there is still hope

In times overwhelmed with doubts

Believe that there is still faith

In times of so much hate

Believe that there is still love, and love is what is all about

Thank you, L_d, because you are my G_d

and I am your child.

We are your people and you are our L_d.

 

May the image of G_d shine through us.

May we all be instruments of peace and love.

Shabbat shalom!