Germany’s first AI-led church raised eyebrows

Can technology arouse the spirit of faith in the human heart?

Last week, the St. Paul church in Fürth (Bavaria) played host to the country’s first religious service led by artificial intelligence. This happened, in the context of a bi-annual Protestant conference called Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag, which gathers believers to discuss the state of their religion in an ever-changing world.

The entire sermon, or more specifically 98% of it, was generated by the now (in)famous ChatGPT software, with the input prompts being fed by theologian and AI artist Jonas Simmerlein from Vienna. The full service lasted 45 minutes and was spoken by digitally generated human avatars projected on a screen for the churchgoers.

The ChatGPT service included a welcoming address, psalm prayer, creed and sermon and Our Father up to the blessing. Even the music between the individual elements was composed by artificial intelligence.

Followed by a discussion round

The service was reportedly meant as an experiment and a catalyst for discussion about the role of modern technology and AI in religion – a noticeably traditional and conservative domain.

Guided by a moderator, groups of two formed after the sermon to talk about their experiences while the chancel was prepared for the discussion round. 

Theologian and philosopher Anna Puzio, who researches in the fields of technological anthropology and transhumanism, found the AI ​​service a "cool thing". For her, an important question is what relationship we as humans build with artificial intelligence. 

Melitta Müller-Hansen, broadcaster for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, was more critical of the service. She said: "The art of speaking is lost" when AIs speak instead of humans. Her reasoning was that it lacked the drama of a human-led sermon.

The panel agreed that AI cannot replace people in worship. Anyone who preaches or leads a service draws on personal experience, while the AI ​​uses a collection of countless texts from thousands of people as a basis. In this way, no relationship can be created between the person preaching and the congregation, which is essential for the worship experience.

And even ChatGPT reminded the attendants of its artificiality. When asked for a blessing, it said: “Of course, I can give you a final blessing. However, please note that as an AI model, I have no religious beliefs or authority of my own.”