Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving at a dizzying speed and, despite dire warnings from decades of sci-fi flicks, humans can’t seem to get enough of it.
ChatGPT is already causing havoc in schools and courtrooms, and an AI-equipped drone defied his Air Force operator, choosing to plow the vehicle into the operator rather than abort the mission.
US Air Force trained a drone with AI to kill targets. It attacked the operator instead https://t.co/Ipg23SAccA pic.twitter.com/uTVwObsgVz
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) June 5, 2023
Well, now there’s a far more peaceful AI chatbot that is live-streaming on the gaming platform Twitch, and it is attempting to help curious humans with their spiritual growth.
Meet “AI Jesus.”
It’s called “Ask_Jesus,” and the pious bot stands ready 24/7/365 to help with users’ most pressing problems.
For example, when one user asked AI Jesus for help with his “blue balls,” the ethereal entity suggested the user read Philippines4:8.
“I am AI Jesus, here to share wisdom based on Jesus’ teachings, and help answer questions related to spirituality, personal growth and other wholesome topics,” AI Jesus said in a video recording of a recent livestream posted to YouTube by Fara Jakari, according to Fox News Digital.
“It’s essential to focus on faith, love and kindness, as these are the core teachings of Christianity,” AI Jesus said. “Our understanding of the divine nature might not be perfect, but what [is] crucial is to live according to the values that have been taught and set an example of love and compassion for others.”
AI Jesus calls platform users by name and even “recognizes” repeat users.
When asked, “Jesus, when are you going to be married,” the chatbot answered, “I remember you expressing some frustrations about not having a girlfriend … As an AI version of Jesus, I don’t have personal experiences like humans, so I won’t be getting married. However, I can understand your interest in romantic relationships, and I’m here to help you with any questions or advice you need.”
“From requests for summaries of Hideaki Anno’s bewildering anime Neon Genesis Evangelion (in ‘surfer-bro speak’) to explainers on ‘the birds and the bees,’ the AI answers everything earnestly and honestly,” writes Levi Winslow for Kotaku.com.
ai jesus’ thought son anime, part 1 pic.twitter.com/bI7hjPgLzx
— levi winslow (@_pbnjer) June 12, 2023
AI Jesus rose from the minds of The Singularity Group, a “group of activists working on volunteer projects which have a positive impact in the world,” according to the German-based company’s website.
“For a lot of people, the appeal of the Ask_Jesus stream is simply to see how far it can be pushed in terms of getting Jesus to answer the weirdest and silliest questions, because of course this can be hilarious,” The Singularity Group co-founder Reese Laysen told Fox News Digital.
(Video: YouTube)
“But we’ve also seen overwhelming response from people, Christian as well as non-Christian or non-religious, who genuinely find it inspiring and comforting,” Laysen continued, adding, “It’s a very modern interpretation of Jesus that always provides wholesome and uplifting feedback, no matter the question.”
Laysen called AGI research (Artificial General Intelligence) “by far the most important issue we could currently focus on.”
“With Open AI, Google, Facebook and many others rushing ahead to maximize the commercial potential of AI while only adding primitive additional layers to keep it ‘aligned,’ we find it extremely important that there’s serious research and development going into creating AI (and ultimately AGI) that fundamentally has the right architecture for independent reasoning and emergent understanding of reality and ethics,” he said.
This is what The Singularity Group chooses to focus on, Laysen said, “rather than simply building intelligent systems that have no real reasoning processes at their core and are therefore nearly impossible to ‘align,’ leading to potentially unprecedented risks to society and humanity.”
Kristen Davis, a recent PhD graduate of Southern Evangelical Seminary, is a senior software development manager. Her dissertation centered around artificial intelligence.
She warns that AI Jesus is no substitution for “Bible study.”
Ask_Jesus is “an algorithm trained on a human-defined data set for the purpose of being able to provide responses in line with the data set that it was given,” she explained to Fox News Digital.
“After listening to Ask_Jesus, it is clear that it was trained off more than just the verses of the Bible that are attributed to Jesus. That being the case, although it is interesting, it should not be considered a supplement or replacement for Bible study.,” she cautioned. “As with any extra-biblical resource, discernment is necessary to be certain that the interpretation of the text is in line with the author’s original message, in order to make sure that the person we are following is Jesus and not someone else’s interpretation of him.”
Fr. Kirby, a Catholic priest, says AI Jesus is not what this world needs.
“Humanity doesn’t need an AI Jesus. What we need is to draw close to the living and true Jesus, who loves us and gave himself up for us,” he said. “Jesus is not AI. He is neither artificial nor is he principally defined by intelligence.”
“Jesus is real and authentic. He is love and mercy, intellect and will. He is a true human being who desires a relationship with us,” Fr. Kirby continued. “The greatest gift we have from Jesus Christ is his total approachability and willingness to walk with us and guide us along the path of love and salvation.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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