AI created Jesus to connect worshippers with the divine

In a recent initiative, a Swiss Catholic church introduced a computer-generated avatar of Jesus Christ, employing artificial intelligence technology to engage with visitors. The installation, which took place in a traditional confessional booth, aims to bridge the gap between digital interaction and the divine experience of worship. This innovative project, developed by the Immersive Realities Research Lab at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, was spearheaded by the chapel’s theologian, Marco Schmid. During the initiative, visitors were able to engage in conversation with the AI avatar, which was programmed to provide advice based on biblical scripture in over 100 languages, reflecting a diverse array of participants, including Christians, agnostics, and atheists. However, it must be noted that the AI Jesus does not offer traditional confessions or absolution, as emphasized by Schmid, who clarified that the purpose of the installation is not to replicate conventional confession but to facilitate discussions about spirituality and ethics. Furthermore, the project raises significant theological and ethical questions regarding the use of technology in religious practices, with many expressing concerns about its authenticity. Critics have labeled the installation as potentially blasphemous, raising fears about misrepresenting religious sacraments in a digital format. The response to the AI Jesus has been mixed, with nearly 900 recorded conversations showcasing diverse topics such as love, the afterlife, suffering, and even the church's positions on controversial subjects. While proponents argue that this adaptation of technology to faith reflects the evolving nature of religious expression, detractors warn that it risks diluting the deeply human aspects of confession and absolution typically integral to the experience of faith in a community. The church’s approach to integrating artificial intelligence into the religious realm is unprecedented, leading to ongoing debates about the implications of digital tools in spiritual contexts, particularly as society moves toward increasingly tech-driven interactions.