What Can we learn from David Ben-Gurion in the AI Era
Special Post for Israel’s Independence Day
It all started in a relaxing vacation
Recently, my wife Michal and I spent a relaxing vacation at the Kedma Hotel in Sde Boker. We swam in the pool, rode camels, and warmed ourselves by the fire in the Desert’s cold evening. And of course, we visited one of the region’s most iconic landmarks — Ben-Gurion’s Hut, the simple retirement home of Israel’s first Prime Minister, and his wife Paula.
As we walked through the modest rooms of the hut, listening to stories about this extraordinary leader who helped build a nation from scratch, a question began to form in my mind:
Are Ben-Gurion’s values and quotes still relevant today —
especially in our fast-paced, AI-driven world?
The more I thought about it, the clearer it became:
Not only are they relevant — they might be exactly what we need.
So in honor of Israel’s Independence Day, I’d like to share a few timeless lessons from Ben-Gurion that still resonate in this age of artificial intelligence.
Who Was David Ben-Gurion?
David Ben-Gurion was the primary national founder of the State of Israel and served as its first Prime Minister. A visionary leader, he declared Israel’s independence in 1948 and helped shape the political, social, and cultural foundations of the new country. Known for his deep commitment to education, pioneering spirit, and bold decision-making, Ben-Gurion believed in turning ideas into action — often before others believed it was possible.
Later in life, he retired to a small hut in the Negev desert, symbolizing his lifelong belief that Israel’s future depended on settling and developing the land. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Israelis — and, as we’ll see, even offers surprising insights for today’s technological age.
You can learn much more about Ben-Gurion in the site of Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute and we will learn more about him during the lessons.
So, without further ado, let’s start!
Expertise Creates Possibility
“If an expert says it can’t be done, get another expert.”
— David Ben-Gurion
In the AI era, things that once seemed impossible are becoming everyday tools. But that shift doesn’t happen by accident — it’s driven by expertise.
Ben-Gurion reminds us:
💡 Don’t take “impossible” at face value.
💡 Learn the tools. Become the expert that can get things done.
💡 Surround yourself with talented experts who say how, not why not.The
The future isn’t blocked by limits — it’s unlocked by the right people.
Action Is the Real Test
“The test of things is not in what is said, but in what is done.”
— David Ben-Gurion
Ben-Gurion wasn’t impressed by big words. For him, what mattered was execution — doing, not just saying.
This echoes a timeless insight from the Mishna:
“Study is not the most important thing, but actions”
— Simeon ben Gamliel
In the AI era, it’s easy to talk about disruption, innovation, or the future. But real impact comes from those who build, create, and take action.
So don’t wait for the perfect plan. Start with what you have. Take action. Because even today, just like in Ben-Gurion’s time (and long before), action is the only real measure.
Big ideas don’t change the world — actions do.
Courage and Technological Capability for All
“Heroism is not the domain of the few — but a gift available to anyone who chooses to use it.”
— David Ben-Gurion
In Ben-Gurion’s eyes, greatness wasn’t reserved for the elite. It was a choice — available to anyone willing to act with courage and purpose.
In today’s world, this idea takes on new meaning. AI has made powerful technology more accessible than ever. You no longer need to be a seasoned engineer or a big tech company to build something meaningful. With the right tools and the will to learn, anyone can innovate, solve problems, and lead change.
The age of gatekeepers is fading. The age of empowered doers is here.
Technology Is Not a Luxury — It’s the Foundation of Society
“Our security and culture will be sustained only through maximum productive capacity, a high standard of living, high productivity, and scientific achievements.”
— David Ben-Gurion
Ben-Gurion understood something profound: security, morality, and culture don’t exist in a vacuum. They require a strong material base — powered by productivity, science, and innovation.
In today’s terms, that means: tech isn’t just about convenience — it’s the backbone of everything we value. From defending borders to educating children, from reducing inequality to protecting democratic values — technology is the great enabler.
The AI era amplifies this truth. Countries and communities that lead in science and innovation will also lead in shaping the moral, cultural, and strategic future of the world.
To build a just society, we need to build strong systems. And that means embracing technology — not as a trend, but as a mission.
Conclusion: Miracles and Realism
“In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.”
— David Ben-Gurion
This quote perfectly captures Ben-Gurion’s essence — a pragmatic leader who understood that great achievements often begin as “impossible” ideas. The same paradox applies to our AI era. Today’s technological “miracles” exist because people dared to believe they were possible.
As we build our AI future, Ben-Gurion’s example reminds us to approach challenges with both clear-eyed practicality and bold imagination. The most realistic path forward may be to believe in what others consider impossible — and then work relentlessly to make it real.
On this Independence Day, let’s carry forward Ben-Gurion’s legacy by combining the courage to dream with the determination to act.
Extra Section — The Image Generation Challenge
One of the things that David Ben-Gurion is known for is the photo of him standing on his head on the beach. This headstand was part of his exercise routine, which he practiced following the Feldenkrais Method, developed by Moshé Feldenkrais.
This photo has become iconic in Israeli culture, and there is even a statue on the beach in Tel Aviv commemorating this famous pose.
I had a vision in mind for the preview image of this post of robot in that post, but I just couldn’t create it by myself. Probably because this pose is very unique, ChatGPT just kept creating for me photos of robots that standing on their hands, that’s the best I got:
So I decided to get some help from the Substack Community in the following note:
And for My supersize, it worked!
Daria Cupareanu from AI blew my mind tried to reverse engineer the prompt and got this result:
The pose was better but the robot still wasn’t on his head.
Then Wyndo just sent the photo for ChatGPT with the prompt “Turn the person into cyborg and add ball on top of its butt” and got this winning result:
And Thomas Belkowski from In Company with AI just decided to work with excalidraw without any AI assistance and won the the crowd favorite award.
Overall, it was a fun challenge and I thank everyone who participated in it.
Love to be part of the challenge!
Love this quote: The age of gatekeepers is fading. The age of empowered doers is here.
It feels so good to be so optimistic nowadays because you can just do things and hopefully can pop out on the other side.
I am trying to create one, but I feel it weird so I didn't pass mine. hahahaha, it is fun, Shmulik