Son of a bot! AI Jesus hologram takes confessionals in Swiss church


An AI-powered Jesus has been facilitating confessions at Saint Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, sparking a debate online about its ethical implications.

For several months, the chapel has provided parishioners with the opportunity to engage in confession with this AI version of Jesus. Traditionally, such confessions are conducted with a human priest offering guidance and absolution, but this AI Jesus has been designed to replicate this interaction.

Created by a team of computer scientists and theologians at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, this AI can communicate in 100 different languages and has been trained using the New Testament. Before any confession begins, participants are warned with a message from AI Jesus: “Do not disclose personal information under any circumstances, use this service at your own risk, press the button if you accept.”

During the confession, a hologram of Jesus appears, with synchronized lip movements adding to the realism of the interaction.

Marco Schmid, a theologian at St. Peter’s Chapel, acknowledges that while the AI has limitations, its responses align with the chapel’s theological perspectives.

The introduction of this technology has led to a polarized response on the internet. Some users express skepticism or disapproval, like one who commented on X, “This is weird and people should condemn it,” while another pondered, “Idk if this is sacrilegious or really cool.” On the other hand, there are those who see potential benefits, with one person suggesting, “They might be onto something, though. It could serve as free therapy for people.”

Concerns have also been raised regarding the privacy of confessions, considering AI’s digital nature and the possibility of data being accessible online.