In a unique experiment, an AI chatbot named ChatGPT delivered a sermon to over 300 Protestants at a church in Fuerth, Germany. The avatar, represented by a large screen displaying the image of a bearded Black man, urged believers to rise and worship and proceeded to deliver a 40-minute service generated entirely by the AI system. Jonas Simmerlein, a theologian and philosopher from the University of Vienna, conceived the service, which was led by four different avatars on the screen.
The event was received with a mix of reactions from attendees. Some were enthusiastic and recorded the service with their cell phones, while others viewed it with skepticism and chose not to participate audibly during The Lord’s Prayer. Heiderose Schmidt, a 54-year-old IT worker, initially felt excited and curious about the service but became increasingly put off as it progressed. According to her, the avatars showed no emotions and delivered their message with a monotonous voice that made it hard for her to concentrate.
On the other hand, Marc Jansen, a 31-year-old Lutheran pastor from Troisdorf, brought a group of teenagers from his congregation and found the experiment impressive. According to him, the language of the AI worked well, even though it was still a bit bumpy at times. However, he felt that the service lacked the emotional and spiritual aspects that he considers essential when crafting his own sermons.
Overall, the experiment raises important questions about the role of AI in religion. While some believe that AI can bring a new perspective to religious teachings, others question the ability of machines to deliver a spiritual message with conviction and passion. As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how religion adapts to these innovations and what role AI will play in shaping the spiritual practices of the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that delivered a sermon to over 300 Protestants in a church in Fuerth, Germany.
What did ChatGPT do?
ChatGPT delivered a 40-minute service generated entirely by the AI system.
Who conceived the service?
Jonas Simmerlein, a theologian and philosopher from the University of Vienna, conceived the service.
How was the service delivered?
The service was led by four different avatars on a large screen that displayed the image of a bearded Black man.
How was the service received?
The service was met with a mix of reactions from attendees, with some being enthusiastic and others viewing it with skepticism.
Did all attendees participate in the service audibly?
No, some attendees chose not to participate audibly during The Lord's Prayer.
How did Heiderose Schmidt feel about the service?
Heiderose Schmidt initially felt excited and curious about the service but became increasingly put off as it progressed.
What did Marc Jansen think of the experiment?
Marc Jansen, a Lutheran pastor, brought a group of teenagers from his congregation and found the experiment impressive, although he felt that it lacked the emotional and spiritual aspects that he considers essential when crafting his own sermons.
What questions does the experiment raise?
The experiment raises important questions about the role of AI in religion and whether machines can deliver a spiritual message with conviction and passion.
What role will AI play in shaping the spiritual practices of the future?
As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how religion adapts to these innovations and what role AI will play in shaping the spiritual practices of the future.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
