A church in Switzerland has introduced an innovative way for parishioners to explore their spirituality—a multilingual AI Jesus installed in the confessional box at St. Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne.
The installation, which features a “heavenly hologram” projected behind the confessional’s latticed screen, allows individuals to express their thoughts and concerns at any time of day.
Developed as an experimental art project, this AI-driven spiritual assistant is a collaboration between St. Peter’s Chapel and the Immersive Realities Research Lab at HSLU University in Lucerne. The goal is to investigate how artificial intelligence can intersect with faith and spirituality, raising questions about its potential benefits and risks in pastoral care.
The holographic representation of Jesus greets users with the phrase, “Peace be with you, brother,” regardless of their gender, and invites them to discuss anything weighing on their minds. Impressively, the AI is capable of conversing in 100 languages, making it accessible to a diverse audience.
Despite its capabilities, the church emphasizes that these interactions do not qualify as official confessions under Catholic doctrine, nor do they fulfill the requirements for proper penance. Instead, the AI Jesus is intended to foster dialogue and reflection rather than replace traditional sacramental practices.
According to Marco Schmid of St. Peter’s Chapel, the AI was trained using sacred scripture and theological texts sourced online. While this raises concerns about the potential for the bot to offer advice or interpretations that may conflict with official Church teachings, Schmid assured that in all prior tests, the AI’s responses have been consistent with the theological views upheld by the chapel.
This groundbreaking installation pushes the boundaries of how technology and spirituality might coexist, offering a glimpse into the future of faith-based interactions in an increasingly digital world.
