Swiss Church Installs AI-Powered Jesus

The quaint Peter’s chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, has made headlines after it installed an artificial intelligence-powered Jesus, capable of conversing in 100 different languages. This intriguing installation has turned the historic site into a pioneering experiment in modern spirituality.

Marco Schmid, a theologian from the church, explained that the initiative aims to understand public reaction to an AI representation of Jesus: “It was really an experiment. We wanted to see and understand how people react to an AI Jesus. What would they talk with him about? Would there be interest in talking to him? We’re probably pioneers in this.

Launched in August as part of a collaboration with a local university, the installation, dubbed Deus in Machina, follows years of exploring immersive technology in a religious context. Schmid noted that there was considerable deliberation regarding the avatar’s identity, concluding that Jesus would be the most impactful figure for such a portrayal.

The church creatively adapted its space by converting a confessional booth into an interactive area where visitors could engage with the AI Jesus. Equipped with a computer and advanced programming based on theological texts, the avatar would respond to questions posed by visitors, who were explicitly reminded not to share personal information during these interactions.

Over the course of the two-month experiment, more than 1,000 people, including tourists from various countries, took the opportunity to engage with the AI. Feedback revealed striking results: about two-thirds of participants described their experience as “spiritual,” highlighting an unexpected positive reception towards the AI interaction.

However, the experiment did not come without its critiques. Some visitors found it challenging to communicate with a machine, expressing discomfort with the nature of the interaction. One local reporter characterized the responses as “trite, repetitive, and exuding a wisdom reminiscent of calendar clichés.” Schmid acknowledged this disparity, noting that the quality of answers varied significantly, sometimes inspiring and at other times superficial.

The initiative also faced internal pushback from various segments within the church, with some colleagues voicing objections to utilizing the confessional space in this manner. There were concerns regarding the potential for the AI to provide inappropriate or inconsistent spiritual advice, which the church sought to mitigate through preliminary testing and ongoing support for users.

While the experiment proved to be a captivating encounter for many, Schmid concluded that maintaining a permanent AI Jesus might not be prudent due to the immense responsibilities associated with such a role. Yet, he believes in the broader potential of AI avatars as approachable tools for discussing religion and spirituality.

“I think there is a thirst to talk with Jesus. People want to have an answer; they want words and to listen to what he’s saying,” Schmid affirmed, underscoring the curiosity and exploration that this AI experiment has sparked within the community.