AI Jesus! It’s not a miracle, but a new technology that has been tested in Switzerland. To mark its 100th anniversary, St. Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne is taking a bold step into the future by integrating artificial intelligence—an “AI Jesus”—into its spiritual space.
This innovative project, titled “Deus in Machina,” allows worshippers to ask a digital version of Jesus spiritual questions, creating a new form of interaction between technology and faith.
“AI Jesus”: An interesting initiative for believers
The AI system installed at the chapel was trained on biblical and theological texts to provide thoughtful answers to user questions. Around 1,000 people have already interacted with this AI, and opinions are widely varied. Some expressed spiritual enrichment through these exchanges, while others criticized the setup, calling it a technological gadget lacking real depth.
On our Yiaho platform, we have also developed an AI, our AI Priest, which can answer religious questions, joining the movement to modernize spiritual practices.
Responsibility and ethics
Marco Schmid, who is in charge of this experiment, told The Guardian that this initiative has its place as part of an exploration of modern spirituality, but it cannot become a permanent practice. The ethical and religious stakes are too high for the interaction between humans and a digital representation of Jesus to be normalized without deep reflection.
“AI Jesus Christ”: A critical reflection on technology and faith
The Swiss church’s initiative prompts critical reflection on the role of artificial intelligence in contemporary spirituality. Although the project has been praised for its originality, it has also drawn criticism from within the religious community.
Church members, both Catholic and Protestant, are expressing reservations about using such an impersonal system to address questions as deep as faith and redemption.
Some users shared their disappointment, claiming that the AI’s answers lack nuance and are limited to generalities, without real theological depth.
Read also this article: Living your religion with AI is possible!
Towards a new understanding of spirituality with AI?
Through this initiative, St. Peter’s Chapel invites us to question how spirituality can coexist with technological advances. In an increasingly digital world, how can we maintain the depth of faith while integrating modern tools?
This tension between tradition and modernity is essential for considering the future of spirituality in our societies. Do you think this is the future?
