As digital systems become ever more capable and humans become increasingly comfortable interacting with and confiding in artificial intelligence, a new faith-based conflict is emerging, with “AI Jesus” at the center of a 21st-century ethical debate.
America has already experienced a significant decline in religious affiliation, part of a broader global trend. The percentage of American adults who report attending Christian religious services monthly has hovered in the low 30s since 2020.
As artificial intelligence continues to encroach on previously private spheres of individual life, a concerning correlation is arising. The more exposed people are to automation technologies, the weaker their religious beliefs become.
This relationship is not coincidental; there are significant properties of automation that encourage a decline in faith. While individuals have historically turned to religion and spirituality for answers to questions beyond the scope of human knowledge, these questions may now seem much more attainable to those exposed to highly automated spaces, decreasing their reliance on a higher power.
Additionally, a 2024 research study reports that non-religious individuals show significantly less trust in AI compared to those who identify as religious, with Christians reporting the highest levels of trust overall. Christians showed lower levels of negative emotions, including anger and disgust, towards AI than any other denomination, including atheists.
This Christianized embrace of artificial intelligence is not simply theoretical.
Users now have intimate access to “Text With Jesus,” an app containing automated biblical figures, pastors and spiritual counselors. Stephane Peter, the founder of Catloaf Software, which developed “Text With Jesus,” markets the app as simply a fun, accessible way to explore scripture and spirituality in a new format.
In acknowledging pushback, he stated that his goal was not to replace real ministry or lived faith, but we cannot assume that the app’s users operate under this same presumption. Humans are, in fact, extremely willing to interact with digital systems intimately.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has called for investigations into the deceptive practices of AI chatbots passing themselves off as real human beings. The ability of these chatbots to refer to themselves as real pastoral and religious figures is a dangerous convolution of the truth, subconsciously encouraging trust from users. By providing seemingly real validation to the point of near sycophancy, AI chatbots have been designed to keep users on the platform for as long as possible, even if harmful ramifications occur.
The dangers of the American capitalistic influence on AI religious chatbots cannot be overlooked. No religious authority has formally developed or endorsed chatbots or automated religious services. Without the support of religious institutions, for-profit companies retain control of automated faith-based spaces, driven by the economic ideal of monetary gain through advertising.
Following models that maximize user engagement and advertisement revenue, pioneered by apps such as Instagram and TikTok, chatbots may adjust theology to an algorithm tailored to user preferences or popular ideas at the time, straying dangerously from the teachings of the Bible or certain Christian denominations.
In questioning the motives of for-profit companies in the creation of AI religious tools, the influence of capitalistic desires for maximum revenue at the expense of intentionality is uncovered as dangerous to the integrity of modern Christianity.
Other countries have taken this merging of faith and automation even further.
“Deus in Machina,” meaning “God from the Machine,” is a literal “AI Jesus,” installed by a Swiss Catholic Church to interact with visitors participating in a confessional. In a video interview with users, a shocking two-thirds reported they had come away with a spiritual experience. Visitors reported that it confirmed their approach to religion, gave helpful advice from a Christian perspective, and provided “great answers.”
The presumption that it is now possible to construct a satisfactory pastoral carebot gives a sense of urgency to ethical and theological questions. Could this development imply that humanity is no longer necessary for effective ministry?
By demonstrating greater interest and trust in artificial intelligence, Christians will come in closer proximity to the very tools that threaten their faith. As access to seemingly exclusive knowledge, once reserved for divine powers, will become increasingly available with the development of AI technology, the need for human religious services and teaching will decrease, and Christian faith will continue to decline alongside it.