{
  "id": 7081587,
  "title": "From missile defense to artificial intelligence: How Technion is preparing Israel for the future",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/from-missile-defense-to-artificial-intelligence-how-technion-is",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-13T06:24:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ynetnews Culture",
    "slug": "ynetnews-culture",
    "url": "https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/r10l327tmx"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, has played a pivotal role in Israeli science, engineering, and technology for over a century. Speaking to ynet Global, President Prof. Uri Sivan highlighted how academia and high-tech in Israel have continued to innovate despite ongoing war and significant pressure. The president shared an insightful observation, noting that the Technion campus in Haifa was uniquely defended by technology developed by its own graduates following missile attacks and cluster munitions incidents. Sivan emphasized the university's deep-seated \"sense of mission,\" believing it bears responsibility for Israel's security, economy, and society. When considering future technologies, Sivan argued that building strong foundations is crucial, rather than solely focusing on predicting the next breakthrough. The institution has invested early in areas like semiconductors, aerospace, nanotechnology, and quantum technologies, advocating for a long-term approach to education. Rather than preparing students for a single job, Technion focuses on instilling in them a lifetime of skills to tackle complex problems. This philosophy is especially crucial in the age of artificial intelligence, which Sivan views as fundamentally different from previous technological revolutions. He explained that AI's impact goes beyond industrial change, as it touches upon the core of human knowledge and thought. While AI presents tremendous opportunities, Sivan cautioned about potential risks, such as the risk of outsourcing one's intellectual processes. He drew a comparison between GPS and AI, warning that instant access to answers might change how people think and learn. Despite the allure of AI, Sivan believes human discovery remains irreplaceable, citing an inspiring story of a PhD student who discovered a scientific solution alone in an empty lab at 4 a.m. Sivan believes that Israel's most pressing challenges might not be technological but societal. He stressed that universities must educate students with a broader purpose in mind, ensuring that science and technology ultimately serve society. As Israel enters a new year, Sivan's primary concern is the growing internal fragmentation within the country. His Rosh Hashanah message to Israel's students, scientists, and researchers was a call to the entire nation: knowledge should continue to be developed and supported but must ultimately benefit society. Sivan urged finding ways to live together despite disagreements, focusing on the commonalities and tackling shared challenges.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}