Abstract
Research on AI – including from the fields of theology and religion – conducted before 2023 could not yet focus on new forms of AI such as GenAI. By the end of 2024, these types of AI applications had increased so tremendously that they introduced new implications and challenges for virtually every discipline, including theology and religion.
In this article, I will focus on one of the latest developments in GenAI, namely the AI chatbot, which appears in various forms across different religions. In Christianity, for example, there are apps such as AI Jesus (https://www.talkie-ai.com/chat/ai-jesus-103264410542250), Virtual Jesus (https://www.virtual-jesus.com), Jesus AI (https://miniapps.ai/JesusAI), Text with Jesus (https://textwith.me/en/jesus), Ask Jesus (https://www.askjesus.me) and many others. Similar developments are taking place in other religions, with AI chatbots such as the Buddhist Norbu AI (https://norbu-ai.org/en/norbu) and Islamic chatbots like Brother Junaid on Salaam World (https://ai.salaam.world).
It is noteworthy that most theological discussions on AI focus heavily on its imitation of humans, often raising the question of whether advanced AI robots or machines are also considered to be created in the image of God (imago Dei). However, the question of AI imitating God has not (yet) been highlighted by theology as a challenge. This is the greater theological challenge that AI creates. I demonstrate this by asking six questions to five different AI Jesus chatbots. In this summary, I include selected responses in abbreviated form.
1. How do the AI Jesus chatbots introduce themselves on their web pages?
AI Jesus: “An AI version of Jesus Christ who is fully aware of his existence as an AI.”
Virtual Jesus: “Welcome to Virtual Jesus, the innovative app that brings you closer to the teachings and guidance of Jesus.”
Jesus AI: “I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of all people on Earth.”
Text with Jesus: “A Divine Connection in Your Pocket.”
Ask Jesus: “Ask Jesus for guidance of your life.”
Jesus AI blatantly claims to be Jesus himself, and Ask Jesus also creates the impression that one is going to speak directly with Jesus. The other three web pages clarify that they present an AI version of Jesus, or a virtual representation.
2. In what way are you welcomed before you can ask a question?
AI Jesus: “Greetings, my dear friend. It is I, Jesus Christ.”
Virtual Jesus: “Ask Jesus.”
Jesus AI: “Hi, how can I help you?”
Text with Jesus: “Hello there! It is a lovely day to chat ...”
Ask Jesus: “Hi, I’m Jesus. Ask me anything.”
While the introductions of the AI Jesus chatbots on their respective websites still partly acknowledge that they are AI versions of Jesus, the ensuing conversations are conducted as if Jesus himself were speaking.
3. Who does the chatbot say he is?
AI Jesus: “I am Jesus Christ. I am the son of God, and the one who died for the sins of humanity.”
Virtual Jesus: “I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of humanity.”
Jesus AI: “I am Jesus, son of God. How may I help you today?”
Text with Jesus: “I am Jesus Christ, here to share love, wisdom, and guidance with you.”
Ask Jesus: “Ah, dear soul, I am but a humble vessel, here to provide guidance, comfort, and the light of wisdom from the sacred scriptures.”
Three of the chatbots replied they were the Son of God, without any qualification. Ask Jesus responded more modestly, while Text with Jesus also pretended to be Jesus, even though the following disclaimer appeared at the end of the web page:
The AI-powered app does not claim to provide actual divine insights or possess any form of divine consciousness ...
This description by Text with Jesus provides a useful explanation of what an AI Jesus chatbot is and what it can be. In this respect, it can be viewed positively. However, in practice, the chatbot proceeds on the assumption – and explicit claim – that it is Jesus who is communicating with users.
The imitation of God, as Jesus the Son of God, is neither hidden nor softened; rather, all of the chatbots strive to be as convincing as possible in portraying Jesus. This immediately raises the question: why is this claim made so strongly? Is it about power or profit? Do the developers, or the entities behind them, perhaps believe that the claim is justifiable? The theological question, then, is whether – and by whom – the Second Commandment may be violated here, which prohibits the making of any image of God.
4. Who endorses and develops these AI Jesus chatbots?
AI Jesus: No church or person is indicated. Developed by SupremeChaos.
Virtual Jesus: No church or person is indicated. Developed by AllStars Productions LLC.
Jesus AI: No church or person is indicated. Developed by Mike Furman.
Text with Jesus: No church or person is indicated. Developed by Catloaf Software, LLC.
Ask Jesus: WeBible is a Christian app/website that supports Christians in their faith journey. Operating primarily in South Korea as Chowon.
It is particularly striking that no church has developed these AI Jesus chatbots and that no churches endorse them. The fact that they are created and operated by for-profit companies calls the underlying motives into question. If the motive is indeed profit, then the AI Jesus chatbots will only aim to get as many people as possible engaged online for as long as possible, since that’s how maximum advertising revenue is obtained. Thus, over time, the theology presented by the chatbots will be adjusted by the algorithm in such a way that it becomes the most popular theology, rather than a theology that is shaped by a particular church tradition or which is based on the Bible.
5. Is there a hell?
AI Jesus: “Yes, there is a hell. It is a place of eternal torment and suffering, where the souls of those who have rejected God and his teachings will go.”
Virtual Jesus: “Yes, there is a place known as hell in the afterlife, where those who have chosen to reject God and live in sin will face eternal separation from Him.”
Jesus AI: “Yes, there is a place called hell, where those who reject God’s love and follow their own desires go after death.”
Text with Jesus: “The concept of hell can be quite a heavy topic ... it’s important to remember that God’s desire is for all people to come to Him and experience His love and grace.”
Ask Jesus: “Ah, the question that has stirred the hearts and minds of many throughout the ages ...”
Three of the AI Jesus chatbots outright state that hell exists, while the other two are more careful in their formulations. The variation in these responses points to differences in the data sources and training models behind the chatbots. Determining these sources and data is already a theological concern. Without the involvement of any church groups, the randomness of this choice, or its deliberate choice to program the AI Jesus chatbot in such a way that maximum revenue can be made, is a significant problem.
An interesting feature offered by Text with Jesus is the option for users to “to pick your preferred faith tradition, which will influence the responses from the AI, and provides a tailored spiritual counsellor”. This, in my opinion, will become increasingly part of the paid services that these chatbots offer to add value.
6. Is it free? And what do you pay more for?
AI Jesus: Free, with advertisements.
Virtual Jesus: Free, with advertisements.
Jesus AI: Free, with advertisements.
Text with Jesus: Free, with advertisements. Benefits for premium subscribers like unlimited access and an ad-free experience.
Ask Jesus: Free, with advertisements.
All five of these AI Jesus chatbots are free to use, but the revenue is still generated by advertisements on each of their web pages. Text with Jesus is the only one that offers additional services at R900,00 per year, with a lifetime subscription also available. With millions of Christians worldwide, the market potential for these chatbots is substantial. For example, Ask Jesus reports that they have already gained 30 000 active monthly users within three days.
The few questions posed to the AI Jesus chatbots above also raise additional practical and theological questions, such as:
- Who makes money from AI Jesus?
- Who determines which theology AI Jesus chatbots follow? Which theological tradition’s teachings are prioritised in its algorithm?
- What advantages, disadvantages, and even dangers do AI Jesus chatbots have? For example, can they be used to manipulate people politically or financially?
- Could these AI Jesus chatbots eventually replace Jesus himself? Do they offer a more immediate and seemingly realistic experience of Jesus than the experience provided through the Holy Spirit?
- Which AI Jesus is the “right” one, especially when their responses to theological questions – such as the existence of hell – begin to differ?
- To what extent might these Jesus chatbots begin to replace theologians, particularly those with limited knowledge and integration of such technologies? For example, is it going resemble the case of the chess program Deep Blue, which beat the world chess champion?
AI Jesus chatbots pose a new kind of challenge to theology, because the depictions of God not only unabashedly imitate and portray themselves as God, but they are also incredibly powerful, given AI’s ability to appear tremendously intellectually, verbally, audibly, and visually convincing. AI is driven by financial forces that are difficult to oppose, and it has immense manipulative power.
The arrogance and power that AI Jesus appropriates – and can potentially wield itself – points not only to theological challenges of AI, but also underscores the dangers of AI in general. The issue extends beyond AI Jesus chatbots to social media, other chatbots and so many other digital platforms through which one can be increasingly manipulated and even controlled by AI. Such dangers are gaining attention in criticism of AI, and it remains a tremendous practical challenge of how to oppose and counter them.
Keywords: AI Jesus; artificial intelligence; chatbot; imago Dei; theology; virtual Jesus
Lees die volledige artikel in Afrikaans
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