Swiss church replaces priest with AI Jesus in confession booth
Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, has taken an innovative leap into the digital age by replacing a traditional priest with an AI-powered "Jesus" avatar in its confessional booth. Known as Deus in Machina, the installation has sparked curiosity, debate, and soul-searching, drawing over 1,000 visitors from around the world during its two-month run.
The concept behind Deus in Machina
The installation is part of a collaboration with a local university research lab on immersive reality and is the culmination of years of experimentation with virtual and augmented reality. The decision to use Jesus as the avatar was made after deliberating over what figure would resonate most with users.
“We wanted to see and understand how people react to an AI Jesus. What would they talk with him about? Would there be interest in talking to him? We’re probably pioneers in this,” Schmid said.
The AI Jesus, trained on theological texts and capable of dialoguing in 100 languages, was set up in the confessional booth, replacing the priest with a screen and computer system. While visitors could ask questions and receive real-time AI-generated answers, the church emphasized that the experience was not a sacramental confession but rather an opportunity for private dialogue.
Public response
Over 230 users provided feedback during the experiment, with two-thirds describing their interactions as a "spiritual experience." Some users felt inspired and deeply moved by the AI, finding it an engaging way to explore their faith.
“We can say they had a religiously positive moment with this AI Jesus. For me, that was surprising,” Schmid noted.
However, not everyone was impressed. Critics found the avatar's responses superficial and repetitive, likening them to "calendar clichés." A local reporter’s review highlighted inconsistencies, describing the AI’s wisdom as uneven—sometimes insightful, but at other times lacking depth.
Ethical and theological challenges
The experiment also faced backlash from within the church community. Catholic colleagues objected to the use of the confessional booth for a non-sacramental purpose, while some Protestants criticized the incorporation of imagery in a way they deemed inappropriate.
The biggest concern, however, was the unpredictability of the AI’s responses. Despite rigorous pre-launch testing with 30 individuals and ongoing monitoring, the possibility of the AI offering advice that conflicted with church teachings or even issuing inappropriate statements weighed heavily on the church’s decision-makers.
“We never had the impression he was saying strange things,” Schmid said. “But of course, we could never guarantee that he wouldn’t.”
This uncertainty ultimately led to the decision to keep the AI as a temporary experiment rather than a permanent feature.
A glimpse into the future of spirituality?
Despite its challenges, Schmid sees potential in the concept. The AI Jesus could serve as a multilingual spiritual guide, offering accessible insights into Christianity for people seeking answers beyond traditional religious practices.
