Experiment in Lucerne invites visitors to converse with an AI-powered Jesus, raising questions about faith, technology, and spirituality.
- A Swiss church installed an AI-powered Jesus avatar in a confessional booth as an experimental tool for spiritual dialogue.
- The initiative received mixed reactions, with many finding it a positive spiritual experience and others critiquing its impersonal nature.
- The project highlighted the potential and risks of integrating AI into religious practices while exploring new ways to engage with faith.
Peter’s Chapel, the oldest church in Lucerne, Switzerland, recently became a testing ground for the intersection of faith and artificial intelligence. As part of an experiment named Deus in Machina, the church installed an AI-powered Jesus avatar capable of conversing in 100 languages. Housed in a repurposed confessional booth, the avatar drew over 1,000 visitors in two months, sparking global interest and debate.
“We wanted to understand how people would react to an AI Jesus,” said theologian Marco Schmid, who spearheaded the project. Designed to explore spiritual engagement, the avatar responded to questions in real time, offering answers derived from theological texts. Visitors were cautioned not to disclose personal information, emphasizing that the setup was not intended to mimic traditional confession.
Mixed Reactions from Visitors
Feedback was varied. Two-thirds of participants reported having a “spiritual experience,” finding the AI Jesus an inspiring and innovative tool for religious exploration. “People want to talk with Jesus and hear what he might say,” Schmid observed, noting the experiment’s unexpected success in fostering meaningful interactions.
However, others found the experience lacking. Critics described the AI’s responses as superficial and repetitive, akin to “calendar clichés.” Some users struggled to connect with a machine, highlighting the limitations of technology in replicating deeply personal and emotional exchanges.
The initiative also faced internal criticism, with some Catholic clergy objecting to the use of the confessional booth and Protestant colleagues questioning the reliance on visual imagery.
Balancing Innovation and Risk
The project underscored both the potential and challenges of integrating AI into religious settings. While the AI Jesus largely avoided problematic responses, Schmid admitted the unpredictability of the technology posed a significant risk. Pre-launch trials and on-site support helped mitigate concerns, but the church ultimately deemed the avatar unsuitable for permanent use.
“This was an experiment, not a replacement for traditional faith practices,” Schmid emphasized. Yet, he sees potential for AI tools as accessible, multilingual spiritual guides that could answer religious questions and foster dialogue.
Faith in the Digital Age
The Deus in Machina experiment reveals a growing curiosity about how technology can enhance spiritual practices. For many, it provided a new way to explore Christianity beyond traditional rituals, while others questioned the authenticity of such interactions.
As Schmid reflected, “People want answers. They want to hear what Jesus might say, even through technology.” Whether seen as an innovative tool or a controversial gimmick, the AI Jesus sparked a vital conversation about the evolving relationship between faith and technology.