In Lucerne, a chapel has taken a bold step by integrating artificial intelligence into the heart of spirituality. Named Deus in Machina, this installation allows worshippers and visitors to interact with an avatar of Jesus, capable of conversing in a hundred languages. This initiative not only aims to modernize the religious experience, but also raises profound questions about the limits of technology in the realm of faith.
An innovative installation in an emblematic chapel
Located in one of the oldest Catholic churches in Lucerne, the St. Peter’s Chapel (Peterskapelle) has transformed into a true pioneer of spiritual innovation. On the occasion of the centenary of the Swiss Saint-Luc society, the chapel installed a hologram of Jesus designed to engage in personalized conversations. The idea behind this initiative was to see how people would react to a virtual figure of Jesus, and whether it would stir any spiritual interest.
The functioning of Jesus’s AI
This artificial intelligence, taking the form of a Jesus avatar, was designed to facilitate discussions about spiritual questions. Unlike a traditional confession, the aim here is to allow visitors to talk freely and anonymously. Due to space constraints, the church chose to install the AI in a confessional, providing a suitable setting for these intimate exchanges.
An open dialogue
Users can thereby interact with Jesus-AI and ask him questions about their spiritual concerns, without this technology replacing traditional confessions. The chapel’s officials recommend not to share personal information, emphasizing that this platform is more of a dialogue tool than a space for forgiveness.
Visitor reactions and diversity of experiences
Since the beginning of this experience, over 1000 visitors have crossed the threshold of the chapel to meet the virtual Jesus. Among them, people from different cultures and religions, including Muslim believers, have expressed their curiosity to talk with this holographic representation. Feedback is mixed: about two-thirds of users rated the experience as spiritual, witnessing an enriching moment.
Contrasting impressions
However, the quality of exchanges has not been uniform. Some found the avatar’s responses particularly comforting and inspiring, while others felt a lack of authenticity and depth in the dialogues. The Jesus-AI has sometimes provided answers deemed mundane and repetitive, provoking mixed reactions about its ability to handle complex spiritual subjects.
The challenges and controversies raised by the installation
This bold project is not without criticism. Within the ecclesiastical community, some Catholics oppose the use of the confessional for an exchange with an artificial intelligence, while Protestants highlight the irony of placing a sacred figure in this context. The chapel’s leader, Marco Schmid, acknowledged the risk of inadequacy regarding the responses generated by the AI, although preliminary tests have been conducted to minimize such issues.
Towards an innovative spiritual future
Marco Schmid envisions a future where AI could become a multilingual spiritual guide, capable of addressing theological questions in an accessible manner. Despite uncertainty regarding the tool’s viability, he asserts that it offers a new way to approach Christian faith and engage in discussions around religion. The results of this experience will be unveiled soon, promising to broaden the debate on the role of technology in our spiritual quest.
