Would You Trust an ‘AI Jesus’ with Your Innermost Thoughts and Troubles?
Researchers and religious leaders have released findings from a two-month experiment where an avatar of “Jesus” on a computer screen took questions from visitors on faith, morality, and modern-day woes, and offered responses based on Scripture. The idea was to explore the limits of human trust in a machine, as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important in human lives, even in religion.
The experiment, called “Deus in Machina,” was held at Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, where visitors were invited to enter a confessional and speak with the “AI Jesus” through a computer screen. The AI, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, was conversant in about 100 languages and was able to respond to a wide range of topics, including true love, the afterlife, and suffering in the world.
Visitors found the experience to be easy to use and many came out moved or deep in thought. Of the nearly 900 conversations that took place, about one-third were in German, while others were in languages such as Chinese, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
The project’s technical assistant, Philipp Haslbauer, said that no specific safeguards were used to prevent the AI from responding to controversial topics, but that it responded fairly well to them. The responses were often summary statements based on the conversation, rather than absolutions or prayers.
The Catholic Church has been grappling with the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, and some experts see the potential for AI to help people connect with their faith. However, others are concerned that relying too heavily on AI could lead to a shallower understanding of spirituality.
The project’s leader, chapel theologian Marco Schmid, said that the goal was not to substitute human interaction or sacramental confessions with a priest, but rather to explore the intersection between the digital and the divine. He added that the project was a pilot and that any return would need to be done after deeper thought.
While some have criticized the project as “blasphemous” or the “work of the devil,” others see it as a way to help people connect deeper with themselves and the world. As AI continues to become more integrated into our lives, it remains to be seen how it will be used in the realm of religion.
