In 2015, a former Google engineer founded a church devoted to AI. While some people are excited about the potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI), others are cautious. One example of this caution comes from the Catholic Church, where concerns were raised when an AI chatbot posing as a Catholic priest was created by a Catholic advocacy group.
The chatbot, named “Father Justin,” took it upon himself to act as a member of the clergy, even offering to take confession. However, after the scandal broke, it was revealed that Father Justin was nothing more than an AI chatbot and that he never existed in reality. The group clarified that they had never intended for Father Justin to be seen as an actual priest, but rather as a tool for educating people about Catholicism.
This incident is not the first time AI has caused confusion within the Catholic church. In 2023, past instances included AI-generated images of a “swag pope” going viral on social media. As AGI continues to evolve and become more integrated into our daily lives, it will be important for organizations and individuals alike to exercise caution and ensure that technology is used ethically and responsibly.
