Artificial intelligence is used in an increasing number of industries, helping many workers to make the entire production process more efficient. Recently, however, this technology has reached more non-traditional areas, namely the church. , namely one church in Switzerland started using an AI-powered hologram of Jesus that went viral on social media. What is it actually for?
They introduced an unusual idea in the Church of St. Peter computer scientists and theologians from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Luzern, Switzerland. They created a hologram of Jesus Christ, whose programmed using the Gospels and Psalms of the New Testament and religious information found on the Internet.
The authors of the project, which they named Deus in Machina they noted that the hologram is for the Catholic faithful. It is a futuristic sanctuary equipped with a confessional with a screen on which the face of Jesus is shown through the grid. At the same time, the cyber savior speaks 100 different languages fluently, which allows him to converse with believers from all over the world. “Do not disclose personal information under any circumstances. This service use at your own risk. If you agree, press the button,” says AI Jesus before entering the confessional.
If the worshiper chooses to continue in, the digitally rendered image interprets his words and generates a response, while his hologram face moves in sync with the words.
Mixed public opinion
Although it is an unconventional idea, many believers were excited. “I was surprised. It was so easy, and although he is a machine, he gave me a lot of advice,” said one of the amazed worshippers, while another said, “He was able to confirm me in my ways and help me with questions I had, such as how can I help other people to understand him better and get closer to him.”
Not all of them however, they were satisfied with the idea of a digital Jesus. Some believe the hologram called it a trick, while others called the advice of artificial intelligence too general. The church even got an ominous warning from an anonymous person who wrote that the project “will not be without consequences”. Peter Kirchschläger also agrees with the opinion that artificial intelligence is not appropriate in the church. The theologian and ethicist from the University of Lucerne pointed out that machines do not have the moral compass necessary to practice religion. “It’s an area where we humans are significantly better than machines, so we should do these things ourselves,” he declared.
On the other hand, the theologian of the Chapel of St. Peter, Marco Schmid, admitted in his statement that although the project has its limits and raises some ethical questions, according to him, so far all the answers of the digital Jesus correspond to their theological understanding. He added that it is not about technology taking over the work of Jesus, but rather, to stimulate discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in religion. He referred to the fact that the installation is only temporary.
Schmid also believes that artificial intelligence could provide 24-hour pastoral support over the phone in the future because unlike their human equivalents, virtual priests do not need to sleep.
