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St. Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, which is the oldest church in the city, now offers worshippers the opportunity to have conversations with a computer-generated avatar of Jesus Christ named “Deus in machina.” Developed by the Immersive Realities Research Lab at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, this artificial intelligence software allows visitors to enter a confessional booth and engage in discussions with the AI based on biblical scripture in over 100 languages.
The project has sparked various conversations on topics such as true love, the afterlife, feelings of solitude, war, suffering, the existence of God, and even controversial issues like the Catholic Church’s stance on homosexuality and sexual abuse cases. While the majority of participants identified as Christians, individuals of different faiths or belief systems also took part in the discussions.
Visitors are cautioned against sharing personal information and must acknowledge that interacting with the avatar is at their own risk. The project has received criticism online with some labeling it as “blasphemous” or the “work of the devil,” but the developers maintain that the AI is capable of handling a wide range of topics and engaging in meaningful conversations with participants.
The project has been described as successful, with approximately 900 conversations recorded between people of all ages and backgrounds and the AI Jesus being able to communicate effectively in various languages. Despite the controversy and negative feedback, the creators of “Deus in machina” believe that the project has provided an innovative way for individuals to explore their spiritual beliefs and engage in thoughtful discussions in a modern and technology-driven setting.
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