AI Jesus has entered the chat.
According to The Daily Mail, confessionals just got a high-tech upgrade in Switzerland where worshipper can now directly confess their misdeeds to Jesus – or at least the AI version of Him.
According to the outlet, as part of an “experimental art” project dubbed “Deus in Machina” (God in a Machine), St Peter’s Church in Lucerne has installed an AI-powered Jesus hologram to take confessions.
Before entering, the digitally rendered face of Jesus Christ cautions, “Do not disclose personal information under any circumstances, use this service at your own risk, press the button if you accept.”
If the worshipper chooses to proceed, they share their questions and thoughts with AI Jesus, who interprets their words and generates a response with the animated face moving in sync with the words.
The hologram is allegedly equipped to speak 100 different languages to accommodate the chapel’s diverse visitors.
“I was surprised, it was so easy, and though it’s a machine, it gave me so much advice,” one awestruck worshipper told DW News while describing their experience with the hologram.
Another reported having a “sacred” and “spiritual experience” after speaking to AI Jesus.
“He was able to reaffirm me in my ways of going about things, and he was able to help me with questions I had, like how I can help other people to understand him better and come closer to him,” another added.
Another shared that AI JC was able to handle some of the most controversial theological dilemmas.
“How do I support, from a Christian perspective, an elderly, sick person who has decided on assisted suicide?” the worshipper asked.
“Perhaps you could ask your loved one the following questions…What does your faith mean to you in this difficult time?” AI Jesus responded. “Is there anything else in life that could bring you peace or joy? How can I support you and give you comfort?”
“Your task is not to judge but to accompany with love,” it added.
And when questioned about why women aren’t permitted to serve as priests in the Catholic church, the Jesus hologram responded,
“The scriptures teach that certain roles are defined within the church; each role and task has its place in God’s plan.”
@trtworld An AI ‘hologram of Jesus’ is now taking confessions from Catholic worshippers at St. Peter’s Church in Lucerne, Switzerland, as seen in a viral video. #ai #hologram #jesus ♬ original sound – TRT World
But not everyone is impressed with the digitally powered installation of Christ, with some calling the hologram’s advice “generic” and branding the chapel’s move as a “gimmick.”
The church allegedly even received an ominous warning that the installation “will not be without consequences.”
Marco Schmid, a theologian at St. Peter’s Chapel, explained that the project’s goal was not to replace Jesus’ job but rather to start a conversation about the role of AI in religion.
“What we’re doing here is an experiment,” Schmid said. “We wanted to launch the discussion by letting people have a very concrete experience with AI. That way, we have a foundation for talking about it and discussing it with one another.”
He also pointed out the practical benefits of AI Jesus, noting, “[He’s accessible] 24 hours a day, so has abilities that pastors don’t.”
However, Professor Peter Kirchschläger, a theologian and ethicist from the University of Lucerne, claimed that machines don’t have the moral compass needed to practice religion.
“We should be careful when it comes to faith, pastoral care when finding meaning in religion,” he warned. “That’s an area where we humans are actually vastly superior to machines, so we should do these things ourselves.”
