AI Jesus Experiment Sparks Debate In Switzerland

According to ShibDaily, a two-month experiment featuring an AI Jesus at St. Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, has ignited widespread discussion and criticism. The "Deus in Machina" project, launched in August, was developed by Philipp Haslbauer from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, alongside theologian Marco Schmid. The project utilized OpenAI’s GPT-4o model and an open-source version of Whisper technology to create an AI depiction of Jesus. Haslbauer explained that the AI video generator from Heygen was used to produce voice and video representations based on a real person. Despite concerns, no additional safeguards were implemented as GPT-4o was observed to handle controversial topics well. The AI Jesus, displayed on a computer screen within a confessional booth, engaged visitors by answering questions on faith, morality, and modern issues, providing responses rooted in Scripture and capable of communicating in over 100 languages. Visitors, primarily aged 40 to 70, included Christians, agnostics, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, and Taoists. Researchers recorded approximately 900 conversations, noting that many visitors found the experience moving and user-friendly. Despite positive feedback, the project sparked controversy on social media. Bishop James Long of the United States Old Catholic Church criticized it as "not sacramental" and "sacrilege." Haslbauer noted some social media comments labeled the experiment "blasphemous" and "the work of the devil." Schmid emphasized that the AI Jesus was an artistic experiment meant to provoke thought about the intersection of the digital world and the divine, not to replace human interaction or sacramental confessions. He clarified that the project was not intended to conserve pastoral resources. The Catholic Church continues to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, especially following the rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The experiment has highlighted the ongoing debate about the role of AI in religious contexts and its potential impact on traditional practices.