Not priests, Swiss church uses 'AI Jesus' for confessions
A church in Lucerne, Switzerland, has deployed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered hologram of Jesus Christ to listen to confessions. The installation is called "Deus in Machina," meaning "God in a Machine." The AI Jesus, created by computer scientists and theologians from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, is capable of conversing in 100 languages. According to one user, the hologram greets them with "Peace be with you, brother" regardless of their gender.
AI Jesus offers spiritual guidance
Worshippers converse with the AI Jesus inside a confessional booth, where a screen shows the animated face of Jesus. Before entering, the system warns users against sharing personal information and to use the service at their own risk. Many users said they have found this one-of-a-kind experience spiritually uplifting. One worshiper said, "I was surprised, it was so easy, and though it's a machine, it gave me so much advice."
AI Jesus sparks debate on machines in religious roles
However, not all feedback has been positive. Some users have criticized the AI for offering generic advice and raised concerns about machines potentially replacing human pastors in religious roles. Professor Peter Kirchschlager from the University of Lucerne argued that humans possess a moral compass that machines lack. Marco Schmid, a theologian at St. Peter's Chapel, acknowledged these ethical questions but emphasized that the project aims to spark discussions on AI's role in religion.
Future of AI in religion remains open-ended
According to the team behind the installation, the program encourages people to "think critically about the boundaries of technology in the context of religion," and that putting the installation in a confessional was a practical decision meant to encourage "moments of intimacy" with the hologram. It is not to suggest that Catholics use the program as a substitute for the sacrament of penance, they said.
