A Virtual Jesus in a Swiss Church

The Chapel of St. Peter in Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s oldest churches, has embarked on an innovative journey by collaborating with a university lab to introduce a virtual Jesus powered by artificial intelligence in its confessional.

This experimental initiative, named Deus in Machina, allows visitors to engage in real-time conversations with a Jesus avatar that can respond in over 100 different languages.

Exploring New Dimensions of Faith

The church’s decision to adopt this bold approach came after delving into augmented and virtual reality for previous projects. “We concluded that the figure of Jesus was the most relevant for this kind of experience,” says Marco Schmid, a theologian associated with the church. The avatar was trained using theological texts to provide thoughtful answers to the spiritual inquiries of visitors.

Housed within a confessional, the system projects an image of Jesus through a mesh screen. Safety instructions guide visitors clearly, ensuring they understand that they are engaging with a machine rather than partaking in a traditional religious confession.

Reception of the Initiative: Mixed Responses

During the two-month testing period, more than 1,000 individuals, some traveling from afar, participated in this unique experience. A survey conducted among 230 users indicated that approximately two-thirds found this spiritual interaction to be enriching. “This demonstrates that people are eager to engage with Jesus in a new way,” Schmid believes.

However, not everyone has embraced the initiative. Some participants criticized the responses as being mundane or overly simplistic. Additionally, certain clergy members have expressed their disapproval of utilizing the confessional space or representing Jesus in this manner.

The church faced complex ethical and technical challenges, particularly to ensure that the AI would not provide inappropriate answers. Rigorous testing was conducted, and human oversight was maintained throughout the experience. Despite these precautions, Marco Schmid remains cautious, stating, “Permanently installing an AI Jesus would be too great a responsibility.”

The Hunger for Modern Spirituality

This initiative highlights a growing interest in alternative forms of spiritual dialogue. Schmid believes it reflects a desire among individuals to transcend traditional boundaries in their interactions with faith. Even if the installation is temporary, it paves the way for exciting possibilities regarding the future of religion in our digital age.

Through Deus in Machina, the Church of Lucerne illustrates that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously. This unique project raises profound questions about the role of artificial intelligence in spirituality and the evolving ways in which people can engage with their faith.

In a world increasingly driven by technology, such experiments challenge us to think about how we can maintain spiritual connections in modern society. As we reflect on this fascinating intersection of faith and technology, it becomes clear that the quest for meaning and connection remains timeless.

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