Swiss ‘AI Jesus’ Initiative Connects Technology and Spirituality, Garnering Enthusiasm Amid Ongoing Inquiries

LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Would you confide in an “AI Jesus” about your deepest thoughts and challenges? This intriguing question emerged from a two-month art experiment conducted in a Catholic chapel in Switzerland, where a digital avatar of “Jesus” was placed within a confessional. Visitors engaged with this AI, posing questions about faith, morality, and contemporary issues, to receive responses grounded in Scripture.

The initiative, spearheaded by the chapel’s theological assistant, aimed to explore the increasing role of artificial intelligence in our lives, particularly in the realm of religion, and to assess the extent of human trust in machine-generated guidance.

During its run at Peter’s Chapel, which commenced in late August, the exhibit titled “Deus in Machina” facilitated around 900 anonymous conversations. The results were encouraging: many visitors reported feeling moved or contemplative as a result of the interactions and found the process user-friendly.

Participants were welcomed into the confessional—a space chosen for its intimate setting. A small sign invited them in, and when it was their turn to speak, a green light would illuminate. A red light signaled when the avatar, “AI Jesus,” was providing a response on the computer screen, though there was often a brief delay in replies, highlighting the technological complexities involved.

Conversations Covering Deep Topics

Philipp Haslbauer, an IT expert from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, oversaw the technological aspects of the project. The AI functioning as “AI Jesus” utilized OpenAI’s GPT4o along with an open-source version of the company’s Whisper for speech recognition. He also incorporated the Interactive Avatar from Heygen to produce the voice and visual representation of the character.

A vast array of topics was discussed by visitors, including themes of love, the afterlife, feelings of isolation, global conflicts, and the existence of God, as well as sensitive issues like sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and its stance on homosexuality. While most participants identified as Christians, there were also agnostics, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, and Taoists involved in these discussions. Visitors communicated in approximately 100 languages, including Chinese, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Russian, and Spanish, with about a third being German speakers.

Artistic Experiment or Religious Controversy?

The project received mixed reactions. Chapel theologian Marco Schmid noted that visitors approached “AI Jesus” with seriousness, rather than making jokes. The majority of the audience comprised individuals aged 40 to 70, and the experience was found to be more stimulating for Catholic respondents compared to their Protestant counterparts.

Schmid clarified that “AI Jesus” was not intended to replace human interaction or sacramental confessions with a priest but was merely an artistic exploration aimed at prompting reflections on the intersection of the digital and the divine.

The Catholic Church, from the Vatican down, has been grappling with both the challenges and potential opportunities arising from the burgeoning public interest in AI, particularly since generative AI became prominent with the launch of ChatGPT two years ago. In response, the Vatican has enlisted a friar from a medieval Franciscan order as its leading AI advisor, and a Lutheran church in Bavaria experimented with chatbot-delivered sermons last year. Pope Francis has called for an international treaty to promote the ethical use of AI technology in his annual peace message this year.

Haslbauer expressed he was aware of the public’s critical response, noting that some around the internet labeled the project “blasphemous” or termed it the “work of the devil.” He mentioned feeling a sense of vulnerability over the negative comments that surfaced online.

In a demonstration within the chapel, Haslbauer questioned AI Jesus about its insights for a troubled world and whether AI could assist individuals in their spiritual journeys. “All knowledge and wisdom ultimately come from God,” responded the chatbot after a thoughtful pause. “If used wisely, AI can indeed be a tool to explore the wonders of creation, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and foster connections among people.” It also emphasized the importance of seeking God with sincerity beyond any technological medium.

Potential Benefits and Pitfalls

Kenneth Cukier, a journalist, author, and expert with the nonprofit group “AI and Faith,” suggested that if “AI Jesus” could help individuals connect more profoundly with themselves and the surrounding world, it could be a positive development. He remarked, “It will lead to better individuals and a better world,” but cautioned that it might feel somewhat simplistic and mechanical.

Cukier pointed out a significant risk that this could ultimately lead individuals away from deeper, more meaningful spiritual experiences. For Schmid, the exhibit was a trial run, and he does not anticipate “AI Jesus” returning in the immediate future. He indicated that there is ongoing discussion about the possibility of reviving the initiative after further contemplation, noting considerable interest from parishes, educators, researchers, and others who have been intrigued by the project’s exposure in Switzerland and beyond.

“There’s much to reflect on regarding how we wish to proceed,” Schmid stated, highlighting the diverse inquiries about the future of AI Jesus.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US and is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.