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Articles Tagged: religion

Digital Devotion: AI Jesus Confessional in Switzerland Sparks Debate

St Peter’s church in Lucerne, Switzerland, has introduced an AI-powered confessional featuring a Jesus avatar as part of a two-month art installation called “Deus in Machina.” This collaboration between the church and a local university aims to provoke discussion on technology’s role in faith. The AI, trained on New Testament texts, interacts with users 24/7 through a wooden enclosure. While some parishioners find the experience helpful, others view it as a gimmick. The installation raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy and the limitations of AI in spiritual contexts. This experiment highlights the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and religion, challenging traditional notions of faith practices while exploring potential technological applications in spiritual guidance.