In a modern twist to religious traditions, a Catholic church in Lucerne, Switzerland, is testing an artificial intelligence hologram of Jesus in its confessional booth. At St. Peter’s Chapel, churchgoers enter a booth where, instead of a priest, a holographic “Jesus” with long black hair and a beard greets them. Speaking over 100 languages, the A.I. figure has already held over 1,000 conversations in two months.
Theologian Marco Schmid, who oversees the project, clarifies that this A.I. experiment is not a substitute for traditional confession. Instead, it offers a space for spiritual discussions and guidance. Church attendees have reportedly enjoyed positive experiences with the hologram, which provides unplanned, spontaneous responses. However, the A.I. cannot administer sacraments or absolution.
One parishioner reportedly asked the A.I. Jesus about Germany sending weapons to Ukraine, although the response remains unknown. Schmid emphasizes that the experiment aims to explore whether technology can complement faith in addressing followers’ questions and concerns.
As the Catholic Church, one of the oldest institutions in the world, delves into cutting-edge technology, the future of such innovations remains uncertain. Will A.I. become a regular fixture in religious practices, or is this a fleeting experiment? Only time will tell.
