Ex Machina. AI and the Soul: Can A Robot Suffer or Feel Pain? - Rabbi David Kosofsky

What makes us human—and could artificial intelligence ever cross that line? Join Rabbi David Kosofsky and I as we explore the moral and philosophical questions raised by Ex Machina. As a brief overview, the movie is about programmer Caleb who is invited to evaluate Ava, an advanced AI robot, and conclude whether she passes the Turing test. Caleb becomes convinced that Ava is more than a machine. The central question of this episode is whether Caleb owes Ava, and other AI-robots like her, a moral duty? In the course of this discussion, we cover whether intelligence alone makes someone a person? If an AI appears conscious, do we owe it moral consideration? Generally speaking, what does Judaism teach about consciousness, suffering, free will, and the soul? Along the way, we compare secular and Torah perspectives on morality, discuss the difference between intelligence and consciousness, and ask whether AI could ever truly become sentient. The conversation ultimately turns inward: if machines can outperform us intellectually, what remains uniquely human? Drawing on Torah sources, philosophy, and neuroscience, we explore why self-awareness, morality, spirituality, and inner knowledge may be the qualities that define personhood, and why the rise of AI challenges us to rethink what truly matters in life. I am excited to welcome Rabbi David Kosofsky to this episode to answer our questions. Originally from Massachusetts, Rabbi Kosofsky now lives in Jerusalem with his wife and three kids. Rabbi Kosofsky teaches a weekly class at Machon Yaakov delving into the mystery of consciousness. His sessions integrate Torah sources, meditative practice, and modern psychological frameworks to explore the essence of human experience. Alongside his Torah learning, Rabbi David has extensive experience practicing and teaching insight meditation, including multiple long-form silent retreats and years of consistent daily practice. He holds a double major from Washington University in St. Louis in Philosophy–Neuroscience–Psychology and in Spanish Literature.