November 21st 2024.
In a small European country, a unique and thought-provoking event has taken place - the return of Jesus, but in a whole new form. Instead of appearing in human form, Jesus has been brought back as an AI, or artificial intelligence. This has been given the nickname of 'God in a machine'. The country in question is Switzerland, and the AI Jesus can now be found at St Peter's Church in Lucerne.
The project, which has been dubbed as an art installation, aims to spark conversations about the role of AI in religion. The team behind this project is made up of scientists from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, who have trained the AI using the New Testament. This means that the AI Jesus is able to give advice and guidance to worshippers who visit the church.
Those who have interacted with AI Jesus have had positive experiences, with one worshipper telling DW, "I was surprised at how easy it was to talk to the AI, and even though it's not human, it gave me valuable advice." Another worshipper shared, "AI Jesus reaffirmed my faith and helped me understand how to share it with others."
The process of interacting with AI Jesus is quite simple. Visitors enter a confessional booth and sit down to face a screen showing the hologram of Jesus's face. The AI then begins with a warning, "Do not disclose personal information under any circumstances. Use this service at your own risk. Press the button if you accept." From there, worshippers can ask Jesus questions and confess their sins, with the AI interpreting the questions and providing a response.
One visitor shared their experience, saying, "I asked about breaking the cycle of violence, and AI Jesus's answer was to pray and not seek retribution." However, not all feedback has been positive, with some visitors calling the AI "generic" and a "gimmick."
Despite some criticism, theologians believe that AI could bring positive changes to churches, even though there are ethical considerations to be taken into account. Marco Schmid, a theologian at St Peter's Chapel, shared, "AI fascinates us, but we must also recognize its limitations and address ethical concerns." He also added that in all tests, AI Jesus's responses have aligned with the church's theological understanding.
Accessibility is one of the main advantages of using AI in religion, as the AI is available 24/7, unlike pastors who are limited by their human capabilities. Professor Peter Kirchschlager also pointed out that humans are still superior when it comes to matters of faith and finding meaning in religion. He stated, "We should be cautious when it comes to faith and pastoral care, as these are areas where humans excel and should continue to do so."
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