AI Jesus takes confessions, but don’t expect miracles

A Swiss church has introduced an AI-powered depiction of Jesus, named Deus in Machina, capable of engaging in conversations in over 100 languages, The Guardian reports. This installation took place in Peter’s Chapel, the oldest church in Lucerne, and aims to explore how individuals interact with an AI figure representing a significant religious icon.

The project launched in August as a collaboration with a local university research lab focusing on immersive reality. The church transformed its confessional booth, previously used for private confessions, into a space for visitors to engage with the AI. The AI has been trained on theological texts, allowing it to respond in real time to questions posed by visitors. Marco Schmid, a theologian at the church, emphasized that the initiative was experimental, aimed at understanding the public’s reaction to conversing with an avatar of Jesus.

During the two-month experiment, over 1,000 visitors, including individuals from Muslim backgrounds and tourists from countries like China and Vietnam, took the opportunity to speak with the AI. Collecting feedback from more than 230 of these interactions revealed that two-thirds of participants reported having a “spiritual experience.” While many found the experience enriching, others expressed difficulty in conversing with what they perceived as a machine. A local journalist noted that some responses were “trite” and reminiscent of common sayings.

The church anticipates the potential of this AI to serve as a multilingual spiritual guide, enabling discussions about Christianity and religious beliefs. Schmid remarked on the interest people’s desire to beyond traditional teachings and rituals and ultimately engage in lively discussions about their faith. He stated, “I think there is a thirst to talk with Jesus.”

Despite a generally positive reception, the experiment faced criticism from some church members. Concerns arose regarding the use of the confessional booth and the portrayal of Jesus as an animated figure. The church maintained that the installation was designed to facilitate conversations rather than imitate the act of confession, advising participants not to share personal information and confirming that they understood they were engaging with an AI.

AI-generated religious art pieces (free with prompts)

Schmid acknowledged the Church’s apprehension about the potential for the AI to produce inappropriate or conflicting responses based on established doctrines. To address this, the church tested the functionality of the AI with an initial group of 30 individuals prior to the public launch. Continuous support was made available to users throughout the project to ensure a safe environment.

A researcher from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business posited that while AI may take on roles in ministries, truly automating religious leadership poses challenges due to the need for credibility. Prof. Joshua Conrad Jackson pointed out that robots lack the capability to hold genuine beliefs, which is essential for maintaining faith-based connections within communities.

Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Midjourney