An urgent meeting of leading roshei yeshiva and rabbonim from across the tri-state area was convened last night in Lakewood, NJ to address what participants described as the growing spiritual dangers posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to safeguard yeshivos from its influence.
The gathering was held at Ateres Chana Hall at Bais Faiga and drew senior Torah leadership. The meeting was called amid rising concern that rapid advances in AI technology present unprecedented challenges to kedusha, focus, and the integrity of the Olam HaTorah.
Those in attendance included Rav Yosef Mermelstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Novominsk; Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Yerachmiel; Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood; Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Elya Kanarek, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr Hameir of Peekskill; the roshei yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Dovid Schustal, Rav Yeruchem Olshin, and Rav Yisroel Neuman; Rav Yisroel Ehrlich, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Mishkan Hatorah; Rav Eliyahu Yagid, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Keren Hatorah; Rav Avrohom Bromberg, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar Hatalmud; Rav Yaakov Horowitz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Meir; Rav Dovid Breslauer, rosh kollel of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Shmuel Abba Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Hillside; Rav Yitzchok Lichtenstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rav Simcha Bunim Paler, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Mekor Chaim; Rav Uri Meir Kanarek, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Noam Hatalmud; Rav Yaakov Dovid Wasserman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Monmouth County; Rav Moshe Pruzansky, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chemdas Hatorah; and other rabbonim.
Speakers emphasized that while technology in general — and AI in particular — is advancing at a pace never before seen, the Torah world must respond with clarity and firm boundaries. The discussion focused on how AI tools can quietly penetrate yeshiva environments, affect purity of thought, undermine discipline, and introduce influences that can be damaging to a ben Torah.
Speakers stressed that what makes AI especially threatening is not only what it can do, but how subtly it can enter a person’s life, reshape thinking, and erode sensitivity without immediate awareness.
The assembled rabbonim spoke about the responsibility of roshei yeshiva and mechanchim to act proactively and establish clear policies.
AI, AI, AI, ay, ay, ay, vey, vey, vey…
From all the technology out there AI IS THE WORST it is scary what it could do I’m not talking about things you shouldn’t see or things that are osser.You can ask it halach Torah to make any speech .i really scared for our children
How’s about talking about the “Matav” of the Yidden in NYC ???!!!!… Yes ,I know …We should have moved out a long time ago .Now deal with it ???
Great Photo-Op !
Who was behind this gathering and Who put this together ?
The bigger question is what we’re the gdolim shown and told about it and what their specific concern was about it and what was said and concluded about it.
As usual, We the public get nothing except for one picture and very vague article.
All very vague. I understand where AI is seriously problematic when it comes to Halacha and perhaps Lomdus, but in a general sense, I fail to see it as any different than internet access in the hands of yeshiva students (which can be terrible). Were any specifics discussed in this big meeting? They certainly are not reporting any…