World
November 22, 2024 10:30
switzerland - A church in Switzerland has conducted a unique experiment by installing an AI-powered confessional where people could talk to a Jesus avatar in 100 different languages.
A church in Switzerland has participated in a striking experiment. The small St. Peterskapelle is one of the oldest churches in Lucerne, Switzerland. But recently, it may have also become the most modern. In August, the chapel installed a confessional where you could talk to an AI-powered Jesus in 100 different languages. The installation, named 'Deus in Machina', was the result of a long collaboration with the local university. 'It was truly an experiment,' said Marco Schmid, a theologian at the church to The Guardian. 'We wanted to see and understand how people would react to an AI Jesus. What would they talk to him about? Would there be interest in talking to him? We are probably pioneers in this.'
Previous experiments with virtual and augmented reality had been launched in the church, and now St. Peterskapelle took it a step further with a real Jesus avatar. 'There was a discussion about what kind of avatar it would be: a theologian, a person, or a saint? But then we realized that the best figure would be Jesus himself.'
After training the AI avatar with theological texts, visitors were invited to ask questions to a long-haired image of Jesus projected on a screen. Jesus responded immediately. However, churchgoers were advised not to provide personal information to the AI Jesus. 'It's not a real confession,' said Schmid. 'Our intention is not to mimic a confession.'
During the two-month experiment, more than a thousand people visited St. Peterskapelle, and based on feedback from around 230 of them, it was mostly deemed a 'spiritual experience.' 'So we can say they had a religiously positive moment with this AI Jesus. Surprisingly for me,' said Schmid.
Others were less pleased with the experiment. Some found it impossible to talk to a machine and were dissatisfied with the answers given by the AI Jesus. 'I feel like sometimes he was really good, and people were incredibly happy, surprised, and inspired,' explained the theologian. 'And then there were also moments where he was somehow not so good, perhaps shallower.'
In the end, it was decided that it would remain an experiment. 'I wouldn't place such a Jesus permanently because the responsibility would be too great.' However, the theologian is in favor of using AI in religion. 'It's a very easy, accessible tool to talk about religion, Christianity, the Christian faith.' The experiment had taught the theologian that there is interest in discussing faith beyond the Bible and the sacraments. 'I think there is a desire to talk to Jesus. People want an answer: they want words and listen to what He says. I think that's one element. Then there's curiosity. They want to see what this is.'