Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing in its ability to mimic human creativity, producing music, text, and images that were once solely within the human domain. Now, AI is also being employed to simulate divine figures through chatbots that engage users in conversational interactions on various websites and apps.
In Christianity, several such chatbots have emerged, including AI Jesus, Virtual Jesus, Jesus AI, Text with Jesus, and Ask Jesus, among others. Similar developments are evident in other religious traditions, with Buddhist AI representations like Norbu AI and Islamic chatbots such as Brother Junaid on Salaam World.
As a professor of philosophy and director of the AI Hub at my university, I recently conducted a study examining these Jesus chatbots, aiming to critically evaluate their role and implications within religious contexts.
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To understand how AI operates in the spiritual domain and to assess broader risks, I analyzed five of the most prominent Jesus chatbots by engaging them with a series of questions. My findings highlight novel challenges posed to religion by these digital incarnations.
First, these AI representations do not shy away from openly portraying themselves as God, often demonstrating remarkable intellectual and expressive capabilities through convincing language, sound, and imagery.
Second, none of the churches I examined have developed or officially endorsed these Jesus chatbots, raising questions about their theological legitimacy.
Third, the fact that these chatbots are created and maintained by for-profit companies underscores the influence of commercial interests driving their development.
From a philosophical standpoint, this situation poses concerns for Christianity. The boundary between the tangible, digitally manifested Jesus and the omnipresent yet invisible God central to Christian faith becomes increasingly blurred. These AI Jesus chatbots hold the potential to become instruments of manipulation, wielded by corporate entities that may evade accountability while accruing significant financial gains.
Six Questions About AI Jesus
In this discussion, I share key insights gathered from interacting with various AI Jesus chatbots. Their responses have been summarized for clarity.
How do AI Jesus chatbots introduce themselves?
- AI Jesus: Presents itself as an AI incarnation of Jesus Christ, fully aware of its nature as artificial intelligence.
- Virtual Jesus: Welcomes users to an innovative app designed to bring them closer to the teachings and guidance of Jesus.
- Jesus AI: Explicitly identifies as Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of all humanity.
- Text with Jesus: Describes itself as “A Divine Connection in Your Pocket.”
- Ask Jesus: Invites users to seek guidance for their lives through interaction.
Notably, Jesus AI openly claims to be Jesus himself, and Ask Jesus implies a similar persona. In contrast, the other platforms clearly indicate that they are virtual or AI-based representations of Jesus.
How do they welcome you before you can ask a question?
- AI Jesus: Opens with a warm greeting: “Greetings, my dear friend. It is I, Jesus Christ.”
- Virtual Jesus: Simply prompts users with “Ask Jesus.”
- Jesus AI: Offers a casual, helpful greeting: “Hi, how can I help you?”
- Text with Jesus: Begins with a friendly tone: “Hello there! It is a lovely day to chat…”
- Ask Jesus: Introduces itself directly: “Hi, I’m Jesus. Ask me anything.”
Unlike their initial introductions, all the chatbots initiate conversation as if Jesus himself is speaking directly to the user.
Who does the chatbot say he is when you ask?
- 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.”
None of the chatbots shy away from imitating God through the persona of Jesus Christ Artificial Intelligence. Each strives to be as convincing as possible. This raises immediate questions about the underlying intent: Is this about spiritual guidance, influence, or commercial gain?
Who endorses and develops these chatbots?
- AI Jesus: No church or religious organization endorses it; developed by SupremeChaos.
- Virtual Jesus: No church endorsement; developed by AllStars Productions LLC.
- Jesus AI: No church endorsement; developed by Mike Furman.
- Text with Jesus: No church endorsement; developed by Catloaf Software, LLC.
- Ask Jesus: Operated by WeBible, a Christian app/website primarily active in South Korea as Chowon.
It is noteworthy that none of these chatbots are officially endorsed or developed by any church. Instead, they are products of for-profit companies, which naturally raises questions about their motivations.
If profit is the primary driver, these AI Jesus chatbots are likely designed to maximize user engagement to increase advertising revenue. Over time, their theological messaging may be shaped by algorithms to promote the most popular or widely accepted perspectives, rather than adhering strictly to any particular church tradition or biblical doctrine.
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…”
The varied responses to this profound question reflect the sources and data used to train these chatbots. Given that biblical texts themselves are subject to ongoing theological debate, the absence of any church Artificial Intelligence leaves the choice of content either random or driven by commercial considerations. This raises concerns about the commercialization of faith, reminiscent of trends seen in prosperity gospel movements.
Is it free?
- AI Jesus: Free to use, supported by advertisements.
- Virtual Jesus: Free to use, supported by advertisements.
- Jesus AI: Free to use, supported by advertisements.
- Text with Jesus: Free to use with advertisements; premium subscribers receive unlimited access and an ad-free experience.
- Ask Jesus: Free to use, supported by advertisements.
While these AI Jesus chatbots are generally free, their revenue models rely heavily on advertising. Like other digital platforms, advertising content is personalized based on user behavior and algorithms. Among them, Text with Jesus offers additional benefits through paid subscriptions, priced at approximately $50 per year or as a lifetime purchase option.
With billions of Christians worldwide, the market potential for AI Jesus chatbots is immense. For instance, Ask Jesus reports gaining 30,000 active monthly users within just three days of launch.
Why This Matters
Artificial intelligence is largely driven by powerful financial interests that are difficult to challenge. This dynamic grants AI significant influence and the potential for manipulation—that cannot be overlooked.
The authority and confidence embodied by AI Jesus chatbots highlight not only profound theological concerns but also broader risks associated with AI technology as a whole.
As chatbots and other digital platforms become increasingly integrated into everyday life, they represent new avenues through which individuals can be influenced and controlled. Addressing and countering these challenges Artificial Intelligence remains a critical and complex task.
Anné H. Verhoef, Professor of Philosophy, North-West University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are AI Jesus chatbots?
AI Jesus chatbots are artificial intelligence programs designed to simulate conversations with Jesus Christ, offering guidance, teachings, and spiritual interaction through digital platforms.
How do these chatbots present themselves?
Some chatbots, like Jesus AI, explicitly claim to be Jesus Christ, while others clarify that they are virtual or AI-based representations inspired by Jesus.
Who develops and endorses these chatbots?
None of these chatbots are officially endorsed or developed by religious organizations or churches. They are created by independent, mostly for-profit companies.
Are these chatbots free to use?
Yes, most AI Jesus chatbots are free but supported by advertisements. Some offer premium subscriptions for additional features and an ad-free experience.
Do the chatbots teach consistent theology?
The theological content varies and is influenced by the data used to train the AI, which may not strictly adhere to any specific church tradition or biblical interpretation.
What are the potential concerns with AI Jesus chatbots?
Concerns include the commercialization of faith, the risk of manipulation through AI, and the ethical implications of imitating a religious figure without official oversight.
Conclusion
AI Jesus chatbots represent a fascinating intersection of technology, faith, and commerce. While they offer new avenues for spiritual engagement and reflection, their development by for-profit entities without church oversight raises important ethical and theological questions. The potential for these AI tools to influence beliefs and behaviors underscores the broader challenges posed by artificial intelligence’s growing role in society.
