A Catholic chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, has sparked debate with an experimental use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its confessional booth. Peter’s Chapel collaborated with researchers to install a digital version of “Jesus” as part of an initiative dubbed Deus in Machina—Latin for “God in the Machine.” This experiment aimed to explore how people would engage with AI in a sacred setting, according to reports from The Associated Press, The Guardian, and Today.
Chapel theologian Marco Schmid explained that the project was intended as an experiment to understand how individuals would respond to an AI-powered “Jesus.” He shared with The Guardian, “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.”
The AI system, which visually resembled Jesus, was set up in the chapel’s confessional booth in August 2024 and operated for two months. A sign alerted visitors to the nature of the experiment, and a green light signaled when to speak, while a red light indicated when the “AI Jesus” would respond.
Philipp Haslbauer, an IT specialist at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts who managed the project, explained that the AI system was powered by several components: OpenAI’s GPT-4, Whisper (a system that understands over 100 languages), and an AI video generator from Heygen. GPT-4 provided the responses, while Whisper processed spoken language.
Over 1,000 people from around the world participated in the AI confessional experiment, and feedback was collected from over 230 users. The results were mixed, with two-thirds of respondents reporting that the experience was easy to use and left them with a “spiritual experience,” according to The Guardian. Some users found the AI to be unexpectedly inspiring, with Haslbauer noting, “Sometimes, he was really very good and people were incredibly happy and surprised and inspired.” However, there were moments when the AI responses felt more superficial, leaving some participants dissatisfied.
Despite the positive reactions, the experiment also faced criticism, particularly within the church community. Some online commentators labeled the concept of an “AI Jesus” as “blasphemous” or even the “work of the devil.” Haslbauer acknowledged the negative feedback but emphasized that the system was never meant to replace human interaction. Schmid clarified, “For the people, it was clear that it was a computer. It was clear it was not a confession.” He further explained that the AI was not programmed to offer absolution or prayers but instead provided a summary of the conversation.
The chapel is considering the possibility of reintroducing the AI confessional system in the future, given the initial success and the interest expressed by other parishes and researchers. Schmid said that many individuals have expressed interest in having their own “AI Jesus.” As the project continues to stir both excitement and controversy, the chapel is reflecting on the future of AI in spiritual spaces.
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All religions = Devil/Satan
The biggest problem with AI is that it can lie, and feel no remorse. I have read so many cases where AI just made stuff up that I wonder if the programmers just forgot to put the code in that told it to verify before posting, or if they purposely omitted it.
i guess theyre running out of ‘living’ human beings willing to listen to/hear/ respond/judge/sentence confessionalers? even Gd’s bored out of his/her/its mind? who’s gonna judge the AI Jesus’ replies BEFORE PASSING JUDGMENT?
It should be banned immediately. Jesus present heart to heart, soul to soul to the confessor can never be replaced by AI or any man made substitution.