Pressing buttons to produce writings will rob a person of the ability to connect to his own soul, and to another tzelem Elokim
Even when their capabilities surpassed simple mathematical calculations and they began synthesizing information to provide predictions and assessments, we were still not terribly concerned. We recognized it as nothing more than a higher-level application of the same type of computation.
But then ChatGPT hit. And now suddenly computers are talking to us. And preparing speeches and writing letters that sound frighteningly human-like. The grammar and language usage are excellent, and the phrases and content sound reassuringly familiar and appropriate. Professors must use increasingly sophisticated programs to snag papers produced by ChatGPT. Some schools even mandate that written assignments can only be done in school, in front of staff. Many companies will now routinely reply to their mail using a chat program.
Suddenly, we are not so sure of ourselves. Speech, which is our most defining human feature (see Onkelos Bereishis 2:7, and quoted in many seforim; see Maharsha and Maharal, Shabbos 33a), is being generated by a machine. This seems to undermine our very sense of humanness. It is not only a disconcerting feeling, but also, it tests our core belief in the existence of the neshamah and the concept of tzelem Elokim.
So let us start by understanding the concept of “speech” from the Torah perspective. At first glance, the concept of speech as the defining quality of man seems puzzling. Don’t we value wisdom and intelligence above speech?
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