Schmid was quick to point out that the “AI Jesus” – billed as a “Jesus-like” persona – was an artistic experiment to get people thinking about the intersection between the digital and the divine, not substitute for human interaction or sacramental confessions with a priest, nor was it intended to save pastoral resources.

Tucked inside a confessional at Peter's Chapel, the "Jesus" avatar collected questions from visitors on morality, faith, and modern-day problems, and offered subsequent responses based on Scripture.

A round-up of news and views about Artificial Intelligence from this week, including AI avatars of a Japanese management guru—and Jesus Christ