If you find yourself in Lucerne, Switzerland with a guilty conscience, there's someone waiting for you in the historic Peterskapelle Catholic Church to hear your prayers – someone who cares: Your own personal AI Jesus.
An “experimental art installation” called “God in the Machine” from the church of Saint Peter in Lucerne, offers a confessional chamber equipped with a vertically aligned screen, computer equipment and a large blue button for penitents who want to ask questions. AI Jesus will respond in one of the 100 languages it is programmed to speak.
However, do not take AI Jesus' advice as a substitute for the sacrament of confession: the church states on its website that the "heavenly hologram" is ready to hear thoughts, questions and give advice, but "does not make confessions."
The AI Jesus avatar warns visitors according to a report by the German international news agency Deutsche Welle (DW):
"Do not disclose personal information under any circumstances. Use this service at your own risk. Press the [big blue] button if you accept the terms.”
The terrestrial digital avatar of Jesus was created in a collaboration between the Immersive Reality Research Laboratory of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the theologian from Peterskapelle Marco Schmid.
According to Schmid, the project is about starting a dialogue about the role of artificial intelligence in religion.
The Deus in Machina project was completed at the end of October, according to Schmid, and the Peterskapelle congregation plans to discuss the results next week. Schmid also mentioned that he foresees a role for artificial intelligence in the future of pastoral care.
