‘Deus in Machina unleashed’: The mesmerising tale of an AI Jesus who speaks in 100 languages
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Unveiling Deus
An ancient chapel in Lucerne merges tradition with tech, installing an AI-powered Jesus capable of conversing in 100 languages. Dubbed Deus in Machina, this experiment set the stage for a groundbreaking spiritual dialogue.
Schmid’s Vision
Marco Schmid, a theologian, spearheaded the project, aiming to gauge human reactions to an AI Jesus. His thought-provoking question: What would people want to ask the divine, albeit digital?
Sacred Shift
In a bold move, Peter’s Chapel replaced its confessional priest with a high-tech booth. Visitors now posed questions to an AI Jesus, trained in theological texts, offering responses through a latticework screen.
Divine Curiosity
Over 1,000 visitors, including Muslims and tourists from Vietnam to China, engaged with the avatar. Some sought spiritual solace; others came driven by curiosity about this modern twist on age-old faith.
Spiritual Spark
Feedback from 230 participants revealed a fascinating split: two-thirds found the interaction deeply spiritual, sparking moments of inspiration. Yet skeptics labeled the AI’s wisdom as cliché or superficial.
Divided Church
The experiment drew both praise and ire within the church community. Catholics lamented the repurposed confessional, while Protestants questioned the visual portrayal of Jesus in this novel setting.
Navigating Risk
Schmid admitted the leap of faith: trusting the AI not to deliver heretical or offensive answers. Rigorous pre-launch tests and standby support sought to mitigate these challenges, yet uncertainties loomed.
Lessons Learned
While the experiment showcased AI’s potential as a spiritual guide, Schmid deemed it unsuitable for permanence. The unpredictable nature of AI made its lasting adoption too risky for the church’s responsibility.
Thirst for Answers
Reflecting on the experiment, Schmid noted humanity’s deep desire for divine dialogue. Beyond rituals and scripture, people yearned for a direct line to Jesus—even if it came through the digital realm.