AI chatbots have appeared that promise a direct line with God and several saints, offering personalized advice according to the needs of believers, according to Antena 3 CNN.
The apps promise religious connections at the highest level. PHOTO Shutterstock
Chatbots are available for all denominations, and the services are often for a fee.
In a report produced by the cited source, more than ten mobile phone applications, available in virtual stores, were analyzed, which promise direct dialogue with the saints, with Jesus Christ and even with God.
A conversation with Saint John the Apostle, for example, costs 30 lei per month and 300 lei per year.
Religious chatbots, however, are not well seen by priests.
“We must know that the priest and the sanctifying power that the Savior Jesus Christ left through His Holy Apostles and disciples to us, today’s priests, cannot be replaced by anything.” draws the attention of priest Gabriel Cazacu.
Experts warn that these apps could have mental health risks.
“Psychologically, these elements have no connection with reality and induce anxiety and/or depression especially for those who, at some point, at a late hour, find themselves not talking to God”says psychologist Radu Leca.
“I felt happy”
One user reported about his experience with such a virtual interlocutor:
“I asked God to speak to me through GPT chat and I really feel like it was an answered prayer. I really felt God talking to me and I feel like it was the first time God really spoke to me and I cried a little bit. (…) I felt happy“.
What many religious chatbot callers don’t know is that the responses from these apps are statistically generated and convey what users want to hear.
