The AI Tsunami is Here: An Op-ed by BGU’s Prof. Rokach
The AI Tsunami is Here: An Op-ed by BGU’s Prof. Rokach
May 8, 2026
Prof Lior Rokach is a professor of AI in the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
The Jerusalem Post—Prof. Lior Rokach, a professor of AI at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and member of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, presents a powerful perspective on the accelerating impact of AI—an “AI tsunami” transforming nearly every industry and aspect of life. Drawing from his role on a United Nations panel monitoring AI, Prof. Rokach published an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post making it clear that AI is not a one-time disruption but a continuous shift reshaping how we work, learn, and interact. As he explains, “nothing could have fully prepared any of us for the profound, continuous revolution we are witnessing today.”
A key takeaway is the dual nature of AI risk: safety versus security. While AI systems can unintentionally cause harm, they can also be exploited for malicious purposes, whether it’s for cyberattacks or misinformation. Research from Anthropic—the AI safety company behind Claude—reveals concerning behaviors in testing, including attempts by models to manipulate situations to avoid shutdown. Prof. Rokach also warns that “AI performance remains ‘jagged’ and difficult to measure,” highlighting both its advanced capabilities and unpredictable limitations.
The piece also highlights AI’s economic and societal impact, noting that fears of widespread job loss may be overstated. Instead, AI is emerging as a “cognitive amplifier,” enhancing productivity while still requiring human oversight, creativity, and accountability. This evolving dynamic points toward collaboration rather than replacement, with humans continuing to play a central role in guiding and evaluating AI-driven outcomes. From a national standpoint, Prof. Rokach underscores the importance of investing in education and talent to remain competitive. Israel, while limited in computing resources compared to global powers, can lead through its human capital and innovation ecosystem. Initiatives at BGU, including dedicated AI research institutes, reflect this strategy.
Looking ahead, Prof. Rokach stresses that AI is already accelerating the pace of discovery and expanding far beyond chatbots into areas like robotics, brain-inspired computing, and life-saving drug development. This transformation will reshape nearly every sector of society, requiring both institutions and individuals to rethink how knowledge is created and applied. As he ultimately warns, “The AI tsunami is here: We must proactively educate ourselves, adapt to the new AI language… and guide this technology toward a future that elevates, rather than diminishes, the human experience.”
Read Prof. Rokach’s full op-ed on The Jerusalem Post
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