Swiss Church Introduces AI-Powered Jesus Christ
SWITZERLAND – St. Peter’s Church in Lucerne introduced an AI-powered Jesus Christ hologram called “Deus in Machina.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being utilized not only in business and education but also in religious contexts. St. Peter’s Church in Lucerne, Switzerland, has introduced an AI-powered Jesus Christ hologram called “Deus in Machina.” Installed in a confessional booth in August 2024, this hologram communicates in real-time and can converse in 100 languages, catering to the church’s diverse international visitors.
When visitors enter the booth, they interact verbally with the hologram, which generates responses based on theological texts. However, church theologian Marco Schmid clarified that this interaction is not a traditional confession. Visitors are advised not to disclose personal information and are reminded that the Jesus hologram is AI-generated. The church describes this initiative as an “experiment” to gauge public reactions and the questions they might ask the AI.
During its two-month operation, over 1,000 visitors, including Muslims and other foreigners, engaged with the AI. A survey of 230 participants revealed mixed responses: 153 described the experience as “spiritual,” while others found it underwhelming. For instance, a local reporter criticized the interaction as “trite, repetitive, and filled with cliché wisdom.”
Schmid observed that the AI’s performance varied—some visitors were inspired, while others found the experience superficial. Despite these mixed reviews, he was surprised and impressed by the church’s willingness to embrace AI despite potential risks, such as the hologram making statements that might contradict church teachings. However, Schmid reassured that no “strange” statements were recorded during the experiment.
The local church community expressed differing opinions about the initiative. While some viewed it positively as a tool for spiritual exploration, others remained skeptical. Schmid himself prefers that this technology remain experimental, emphasizing its ability to spark curiosity and dialogue rather than replacing traditional religious practices.
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