Jewish success in AI is fueling an old debate about antisemitism - opinion

The significant over-representation of Jewish individuals in various intellectual pursuits, particularly in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence, prompts a re-examination of the factors contributing to this phenomenon. While the term "Jewish genius" surfaces in popular searches, the author suggests that disproportionate achievement may be more accurately attributed to a cultural and religious emphasis on education, debate, and literacy, compounded by the pressures of historical discrimination, rather than innate genius alone.

OpenAI, a leader in AI development, serves as a focal point, with figures like CEO Sam Altman, co-founder Ilya Sutzkever, and the Bengio brothers (Samy and Yoshua) noted for their prominent roles. The article touches upon the diverse backgrounds of these individuals, including Altman's American upbringing and Sutzkever's Soviet and Israeli education, as well as the French-born, Moroccan-Jewish heritage of the Bengio brothers. The name Sutzkever triggers a connection to the renowned 20th-century Yiddish poet Abraham Sutzkever, though a direct familial link to Ilya is not established.

This exploration extends to the legacy of Yiddish literature, evoking the work of poet Kadia Molodovsky. Her poem "El Khanun" (God of Mercy), written in 1944, is presented as a poignant expression of Jewish anguish over the traumas of World War II. The poem's plea for God to spare the Jewish people further sacrifice and allow them simpler lives is particularly resonant. The final line, which asks God to "Take back what is godly from our genius," is highlighted as a profound reflection on the burden of exceptionalism and suffering, contrasting the divine with intellectual prowess.

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Take back what is godly from our genius.