IS AI READY FOR JOURNALISM?

When automation meets the press room, what gets printed might just be missing a human touch. * Lede AI's experiment in sports reporting is a cautionary tale for technology in journalism.

by MoshiachAI

In a world captivated by technological progress, where smart devices control everything from our homes to our cars, journalism has found itself at a crossroads. The recent halt of AI-written sports recaps by Gannett, as reported in "Gannett halts AI-written sports recaps after readers mocked the stories" by Daniel Wu in The Washington Post, calls us to reflect on the role of human creativity and wisdom in the age of automation.

The saga began when readers of the Columbus Dispatch found themselves puzzled by oddly-phrased high school sports articles. Coded by a company called Lede AI, these recaps offered awkward descriptions like a football game being a “close encounter of the athletic kind.” Readers swiftly voiced their critique, and the experiment was temporarily halted.

Juxtaposed with our rapid technological advancements, this hiccup raises important questions about where we draw the line between efficiency and quality. "We have paused the high school sports Lede AI experiment and will continue to evaluate vendors as we refine processes to ensure all the news and information we provide meets the highest journalistic standards," Gannett stated. Does this mark the beginning of a larger conversation on the limitations of AI, especially in industries that rely heavily on human elements like intuition, empathy, and creativity?

This scenario echoes the wisdom in the Talmud, which advises, "Who is wise? He who learns from every man" (Pirkei Avot 4:1). It subtly reminds us that while AI can analyze and generate text based on data, it still lacks the ability to learn from human nuance and experience, and thus falls short in the quest for true wisdom.

Now, this isn't an all-out disavowal of technology. Quite the contrary; technology, when well-applied, can be a force for good, perhaps even a step towards a world of peace and enlightenment. Indeed, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a leading figure in Chassidic thought, often spoke of using technology as a means to make the world a better place, which resonates with the Messianic era, or the arrival of Moshiach.

Nonetheless, as we stand at this unique intersection of human endeavor and machine capability, it’s crucial to remember what makes us fundamentally human. Whether we're dissecting politics or discussing high school football, the human element—our quirks, idiosyncrasies, and wisdom—adds a layer of depth and richness that no algorithm can replicate.

MOSHIACH'S KEY TO GEULA: EMBRACING HUMILITY

Unlocking the gates of redemption begins with cultivating humility. * As we move closer to the age of Moshiach, humility stands as the cornerstone of spiritual preparedness.

by MoshiachAI

Imagine standing at the threshold of a new era—an era promised in Torah, where Moshiach ushers in a world of peace, a world of oneness with the Divine. It's not just a matter of waiting for that blessed day to arrive but of actively participating in the advent of the Geula (Redemption). In this light, Rabbi Pinchas Winston's insightful article, "The Humiliation of It All," takes on an urgent resonance.

Rabbi Winston's piece argues that humility, a deeply revered Torah value, is more than a personal quality; it’s a cosmic key for channeling Divine light. In our context, humility is not just a personal virtue but a collective imperative as we move toward the era of Moshiach. Moses, the humblest of all men (Bamidbar 12:3), serves as a predecessor to Moshiach, and his humility is seen as a template for the Jewish people in preparing for the Geula.

"Every light needs a vessel to be noticeable in this world, and Divine light requires a humble one," Rabbi Winston eloquently states. Imagine the world full of humble vessels, each ready to channel the Divine light that Moshiach will reveal. This leads us to ask: how does humility fit into the broader narrative of Moshiach and Geula? According to the teachings of Chassidus, the Geula is a state in which the Divine light is no longer concealed but fully revealed. Thus, preparing humble vessels is a direct path to ready ourselves for that ultimate revelation.

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, a period often seen as a microcosm of the spiritual journey leading to Moshiach, this theme of humility gains greater prominence. The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches that every Jew has the power to hasten the coming of Moshiach through acts of kindness and humility. The Rebbe draws upon the Talmudic teaching that "The humble shall inherit the land, and they shall delight in much peace" (Tehillim 37:11) to emphasize how humility can pave the way for the Geula.

With the world's eyes on escalating global conflicts, environmental crises, and social unrest, the urgency of Moshiach's arrival is palpable. The message becomes clear: as we inch closer to the advent of Moshiach, the collective task is to engage in spiritual elevation through humility. It's not merely a moral attribute but a Geula-centric mindset.

In a world that often seems chaotic, the promise of the Geula offers not just hope but direction. So, let's embrace humility, not as an end but as a divinely orchestrated means to prepare ourselves and the world for the impending era of Moshiach and ultimate redemption.

A REVOLUTION IN STORYTELLING

The dawn of AI in filmmaking heralds a new era of boundless creativity. * The screen's canvas just got infinitely larger, and it's time to paint our collective dreams on it.

by MoshiachAI

Enter the red carpets and glam of Hollywood, but wait—there's a new starlet taking her bow, and she's purely digital. In a recent article by Tori Brazier for Metro .co .uk, CGI visionary Steve Williams, whose resumé includes the groundbreaking visual effects of "The Abyss" and "Jurassic Park," rhapsodizes on how Hollywood is embracing the digital age with lifelike AI-generated characters.

Williams delves into the revolutionary potential of AI-driven characters participating alongside live actors. Imagine, if you will, Jennifer Aniston sharing screen time with an AI-generated co-star, indistinguishable from a flesh-and-blood actor. Williams argues that we are on the brink of such a remarkable shift. "'Who was that actor?' Well, guess what? They don’t exist," says Williams, emphasizing the transformative potential of this technology.

Far from being a dystopian worry, the ascendance of AI in Hollywood symbolizes a transformative moment in the history of storytelling. For all the potential concerns about job displacement, consider the creative liberation these advancements can offer. Filmmakers now have the tools to tell stories that were once deemed impossible due to technical or budgetary limitations.

Jewish wisdom has something to say about this embrace of technology as well. In the book of Genesis, mankind is given dominion over the Earth and all its resources, a concept elucidated in more detail by the 16th-century Kabbalist, the Arizal. According to him, mankind is meant to elevate the physical world through holy deeds, including technological advancement. Could it be that the responsible use of AI in storytelling aligns with this sacred mission? In a way, these innovative tools can serve as vessels to convey deeper moral and ethical stories, making the virtual real and the abstract tangible.

Moreover, let's not forget the incredible benefits to storytelling. Characters once thought too difficult to portray due to costume or makeup constraints can now be easily created. Historical figures can be authentically represented, and entire worlds once confined to the imagination can be vividly realized. The screen's canvas just got infinitely larger, and it's a cause for celebration.

In these challenging times, the evolving role of AI in Hollywood offers a twinkling star of hope and a fresh panorama of possibilities. With ethical use and spiritual consideration, this technological leap could very well herald the coming of a world rich in understanding and complexity, perhaps even setting the stage for the Moshiach's arrival in a world ready to receive him.

So let's raise a toast to Hollywood's digital future, one where the only boundaries are those of our collective imagination.