Deus in machina: Swiss church installs AI-powered Jesus

Deus in Machina: A Unique Initiative

The idea behind Deus in Machina was to explore how people react to an AI representation of Jesus.

A Lifelike Image

The AI-powered depiction of Jesus was generated by Midjourney and shows a lifelike image of Jesus of Nazareth. The installation allows visitors to pose questions to the avatar, which responds in real-time, offering answers generated through artificial intelligence.

A Thirst for Connection

During the two-month period of the experiment, over 1,000 people took up the opportunity to interact with the avatar. Schmid noted that there is a thirst among people to talk with Jesus and seek answers beyond the Bible, sacraments, and rituals.

Cautious Approach

The church took a cautious approach by ensuring that visitors were aware they were engaging with an AI at their own risk and not disclosing any personal information. However, the experiment faced criticism from some within the church community, who protested against the use of the confessional while others had concerns about the imagery used.

Background and Purpose

The church collaborated with a local university research lab on immersive reality to create this AI-powered Jesus. The theologian Marco Schmid explained that the experiment was designed to understand how people react to an AI representation of Jesus. The goal was to see what topics visitors would discuss with the avatar, whether there would be interest in talking to it, and to gauge the potential for future use.

Key Features

• The AI-powered Jesus is capable of responding in real-time to questions and conversations.

• Visitors are advised not to disclose any personal information and confirm that they know they are engaging with an avatar at their own risk.

• More than 1,000 people have interacted with the avatar during a two-month period.

Feedback and Implications

While some users found the experience to be spiritually positive, others reported difficulty in talking to a machine. Feedback suggested that the AI’s answers varied in quality, with some being described as “trite, repetitive, and exuding a wisdom reminiscent of calendar cliches.”

Related Topics

• Artificial intelligence (AI)

• Switzerland

• Christianity

• Computing

• Consciousness

• Europe

• Religion

Deus in Machina: A Groundbreaking Experiment in Faith and Technology

A Lesson Learned

Ultimately, the uncertainty surrounding the responsibility of a permanent AI Jesus led Schmid to decide that the avatar was best left as an experiment. The experience has shown that people are interested in engaging with faith in new ways, but it also highlights the need for careful consideration and planning when exploring the intersection of technology and spirituality.

Key Points

• The AI is capable of speaking over 100 different languages.

• Over 1,000 people interacted with the avatar during the experiment.

• The experience sparked interest and curiosity among visitors.

• The church took a cautious approach to mitigate risks and ensure responsible use of the technology.