AI Jesus in Switzerland church hears confessions of worshippers, gives advice

A Swiss church introduces AI Jesus to hear confessions and offer advice, sparking both spiritual experiences and criticism as a gimmick.

In Short

• AI Jesus hears confessions at a Swiss church, offering advice in 100 languages
• Worshippers report spiritual experiences, but critics call it a gimmick
• The project explores AI's role in future church pastoral care

Imagine stepping into a church, the serene St. Peter's in Lucerne, Switzerland, and walking up to the confessional booth—except this time, there’s no priest on the other side. Instead, you’re greeted by none other than AI Jesus. Yes, you read that right. The Swiss have teamed up technology and theology to create a holographic Jesus, powered by artificial intelligence, ready to hear your confessions and offer advice. Talk about a divine upgrade!

As per a Daily Mail report, the modern marvel is part of an art project called “Deus in Machina,” which translates to “God in a Machine.” For a limited time, worshippers at St. Peter’s can step into a confessional booth, speak their worries, and receive responses from a digitally-rendered face of Jesus. It’s an odd mix of tradition and technology, like something out of a sci-fi movie—except it’s real.

Now, if you’re wondering how it works, here’s the scoop: You sit in front of a screen, ask your questions aloud, and AI Jesus will reply. The face on the screen reacts to your words, and the holographic Jesus speaks back, offering guidance and wisdom. It’s not just some pre-programmed robot either–AI Jesus can chat in 100 different languages! So, whether you’re from Switzerland, the US, or anywhere else, you’re all set to have a conversation.

And here’s the best part—many people are leaving the confessional booth feeling spiritually uplifted. One worshipper even said that although they were talking to a machine, the advice felt genuine and helpful. From questions about scripture to seeking guidance on personal struggles, AI Jesus has the answers, or at least offers a sense of peace. For example, when one visitor asked about breaking the cycle of violence, AI Jesus suggested prayer and avoiding revenge. Deep, right?

Of course, not everyone’s a fan. Some visitors are calling it a gimmick, with a few even claiming the advice is too “generic.” And there’s the ethical dilemma—could machines one day replace human pastors? According to Marco Schmid, a theologian at St. Peter’s Chapel, the project aims to spark conversation about the role of AI in religious life. While some fear it’s stepping too far into spiritual territory, Schmid believes AI could be a valuable tool for on-call pastoral support, just like online therapy bots.

Still, the jury’s out on whether AI will ever fully replace human compassion in religious matters. As one theologian put it, “Humans are vastly superior to machines in matters of faith.” For now, though, if you’re in Lucerne and in need of some advice, you might just find comfort in speaking to the world’s first AI-powered Jesus—though I’m not sure you can ask for an upgrade to a more charismatic version!