The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology has operated through war and extraordinary pressure, with Prof. Uri Sivan stating ahead of Rosh Hashanah that Israeli academia and high-tech continued to develop and innovate.
Defending the Campus With Its Own Innovations
Sivan highlighted missile interception technology, recalling instances where intercepted debris and cluster munitions fell on the Haifa campus.
Walking through the grounds following an incident, Sivan noted a striking realization that the institution is defended by technology created by its own graduates, driven by a deeply rooted sense of responsibility for Israel’s security, economy, and society.
Building Foundational Capabilities Over Short-Term Trends
Speaking on the future of technology, Sivan asserted that success relies on building foundational capabilities rather than predicting isolated breakthroughs.
The Technion invested early in semiconductors, aerospace, nanotechnology, and quantum technologies. Sivan emphasized that education must follow this same long-term philosophy.
Rather than focusing students on the newest software or application, the university prioritizes mathematics, physics, engineering, and problem-solving skills. Sivan stated that the institution trains students for a lifetime career rather than a first job.
Navigating the Intellectual Shift Brought by Artificial Intelligence
Addressing the rise of artificial intelligence, Sivan said that AI represents a fundamental shift distinct from past industrial revolutions because it intersects with knowledge and thought, the core of human existence.
While AI provides extraordinary opportunities, Sivan warned that instant access to answers could alter how individuals think and learn. Questioning what it means to know something when information is just a prompt away, he cautioned that people might stop performing necessary intellectual work, potentially outsourcing human essence in a manner similar to how GPS replaced navigation.
Despite this, human discovery remains essential. Sivan recalled a PhD student who solved a problem alone in a laboratory at 4 a.m. after a year of team effort, realizing he was the only person in the world with the answer.
Confronting Internal National Division
Beyond technology, science and society must serve a broader purpose, with universities bearing the responsibility to guide students accordingly.
Entering the new year, Sivan’s primary concern centers on internal national division rather than technological hurdles. Describing societal challenges as the most pressing issues facing the country, he warned that internal fragmentation threatens to tear society apart.
His Rosh Hashanah message to students, scientists, researchers, and the wider public emphasized that while knowledge must be developed and supported, it has to ultimately benefit society. Sivan expressed a wish that the country finds ways to coexist despite disagreements, focusing instead on common ground and shared challenges.
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