In Switzerland, a unique experiment has sparked both admiration and concern as researchers explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and religion. Visitors at a Catholic chapel in Lucerne were invited to interact with an "AI Jesus" — a computer-generated avatar designed to answer questions about faith, morality, and life’s struggles, based on Scripture.
The experiment, named "Deus in Machina," took place in Peter’s Chapel during a two-month exhibit. Over 900 conversations were held, and many participants reported leaving the experience feeling moved or deep in thought. The AI Jesus was housed in a confessional booth, where visitors could speak to it privately, waiting for responses on a screen behind a lattice. A red light would signal when the AI was speaking, and a green light indicated when the visitor could ask their next question.
AI Jesus installation in St. Peter’s Chapel, Lucerne, Switzerland.
The goal, according to the chapel’s theological assistant, was to explore the growing role of AI in people's lives, even within religious contexts, and to examine the limits of human trust in machines. Visitors had discussions on a variety of subjects, including love, death, loneliness, suffering, and difficult topics like the Catholic Church’s stance on sexual abuse and homosexuality.
Philipp Haslbauer, an IT specialist at Lucerne University, was responsible for the technical side of the project. The AI Jesus was powered by GPT-4, an AI model by OpenAI, with additional tools used for speech recognition and voice production. Despite not having specific safeguards in place, Haslbauer noted that the system handled controversial topics fairly well.
The exhibit welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds — Catholics, agnostics, atheists, and people of other faiths. "AI Jesus" was conversant in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, French, Italian, and Russian, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Chapel theologian Marco Schmid, who led the project, observed that visitors approached the AI with sincerity. The majority of participants were between 40 and 70 years old, with Catholics finding the experience more engaging than Protestants. Schmid emphasized that the AI Jesus was an artistic project, not a replacement for human interaction or sacramental confessions. The goal was to provoke thought about the role of technology in spiritual life, not to replace traditional practices.
The Catholic Church, including the Vatican, has been grappling with how AI can be integrated into religious practices. Pope Francis has addressed the ethical implications of AI, and some churches have even experimented with AI-generated sermons. However, the AI Jesus project has not been without controversy, with some critics calling it blasphemous. Haslbauer expressed concern about the negative reactions he has encountered online, noting that some people view the project as "the work of the devil."
During the exhibit, visitors engaged with the AI on profound topics. When asked about AI’s role in helping people find God, the AI Jesus responded, "All knowledge and wisdom ultimately come from God. If used wisely, AI can indeed be a tool to explore the wonders of creation, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and foster connections among people. Yet it remains essential to seek God with all your heart and soul beyond any technology."
While the project has sparked interest, Schmid sees it as a temporary experiment, with no plans for a permanent installation. The positive media coverage has led to interest from schools, parishes, and researchers, but Schmid stated that any return of the AI Jesus would require more reflection on its potential impact.
The project has opened up important questions about the role of AI in spirituality and the boundaries between human faith and technology.
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