If the Fr. Justin AI was too much, then this certainly steps over the line. They may not have encountered anything controversial said by the "Jesus AI" in their tests, but I guarantee that there is someone out there far more willing to try to break it, and it's only a matter of when, not if, for when this thing starts giving some very "unChrist-like" answers or dialog.
Agreed. This example, far from being shocking or challenging, honestly just feels tedious and tired. Plus the fact that it simply seems inappropriate, and not in any way that is artistic.
I'm not a theologian or a canonist, but wouldn't the simulation of a sacrament be a grave sin? And how is this not a scandalous invitation to such a simulation?
Also, how are we supposed to interpret the phrase "the theological view of St. Peter's Church"? Are individual parishes authorised to hold and/or promulgate their own theological views now?
“the team, who have also insisted that putting the installation in a confessional was a practical decision meant to encourage “moments of intimacy” with the hologram, but not meant to suggest Catholics attempt to use the program as a substitute for the sacrament of penance.”
> Schmidt said that he was not bothered by reports that the program gave “trite,” “clichéd” answers in response to spiritual questions, reportedly reminiscent of a “motivational calendar.”
I imagine a lost soul who, wandering into the empty church looking for answers, gravitates towards this Gypsy Madam Esmeralda Coin Operated Fortune Teller. An amusing momentary diversion. It’s even free. But no healing is offered.
How sad that this midway attraction distracted the searcher from Jesus the Great Physician waiting in the tabernacle.
The Church probably couldn't condemn AI as intrinsically evil, but I would love to see her publicly oppose its advancement. It feeds into our disordered desire to master nature and gain complete control over our surroundings, promising the fullness of knowledge - a parallel to our fall in Genesis. The idea that we can manipulate our surroundings and the promise of so much immediate knowledge at our fingertips both reduces our capacity to actually think as rational animals and makes it difficult to encounter God as living and true, and a radically 'Other'. Encountering AI Jesus - even if the answers are 'true' - is wildly different from having a deep, personal friendship with the risen Lord. Kyrie eleison.
AI is eating itself, in a way. It relies on data, but the more material it produces, the more it pushes humans out of the market, and the less unique data it has, and the fewer reality checks it gets, and the worse its answers get. People use it with the idea of getting something for nothing: getting answers without knowledge, understanding, or analysis. And they really just get nothing for nothing.
Humans can do an analagous thing without AI though. We call this echo chambers, or sometimes parroting. Or perhaps "vain repetition".
Agreed. The standard line from churchmen seems to be, "Any technology is neutral in itself and can be used for good or for evil." But what if there are just some technologies that make false assumptions about the good for which we are created? Or some forms of media (I'm thinking esp. of things like TikTok, Instagram, etc.) that by their very nature make false assumptions about the nature of the human person and what authentic communication looks like?
It's as if they really just want people to leave the faith. We live in a miserable, atomizing, increasingly de-personalizing technocratic culture of death, and they give us AI Jesus in stead of actual Jesus. There is no curse in elvish, entish or the tongues of men for this folly.
"Schmidt said that he was not bothered by reports that the program gave 'trite,' 'clichéd' answers in response to spiritual questions, reportedly reminiscent of a 'motivational calendar.'"
But this seems to be the point! The meta-meaning of this "experimental art installation" is that technology can never substitute for flesh-and-blood relationships between clergy and laity. Are the makers of this installation just being coy, or do they not realize the meaning of what they've created?
In the words of the great Samir of Office Space, "Yes. Yes. It is horrible, this idea."
Hopefully these are funded by Office Space-like fraction of a penny pilferages… 🤦♂️
The seal of the confessional is not some "mundane" detail, Michael!
If the Fr. Justin AI was too much, then this certainly steps over the line. They may not have encountered anything controversial said by the "Jesus AI" in their tests, but I guarantee that there is someone out there far more willing to try to break it, and it's only a matter of when, not if, for when this thing starts giving some very "unChrist-like" answers or dialog.
Is it just me, or has the avant-garde instinct kind of gotten...lame?
Yeah, I mean I think AI is pretty cool, but in it's proper place.
Avant-garde has indeed jumped the shark
Agreed. This example, far from being shocking or challenging, honestly just feels tedious and tired. Plus the fact that it simply seems inappropriate, and not in any way that is artistic.
No, no, no! One thousand times no!
I'm not a theologian or a canonist, but wouldn't the simulation of a sacrament be a grave sin? And how is this not a scandalous invitation to such a simulation?
Also, how are we supposed to interpret the phrase "the theological view of St. Peter's Church"? Are individual parishes authorised to hold and/or promulgate their own theological views now?
How is it not also a violation of the Second Commandment?
Where are they saying that they are simulating the Sacrament of Reconciliation? I’m not seeing that anywhere in the article.
“the team, who have also insisted that putting the installation in a confessional was a practical decision meant to encourage “moments of intimacy” with the hologram, but not meant to suggest Catholics attempt to use the program as a substitute for the sacrament of penance.”
Installing AI in the confessional. What could go wrong?
What kinda moron thinks putting a listening device in a Confessional is a good idea?
Why do I get the feeling that this parishes confessionals are never actually used for Confession
Secret police of all persuasions think it’s a great idea!
> Schmidt said that he was not bothered by reports that the program gave “trite,” “clichéd” answers in response to spiritual questions, reportedly reminiscent of a “motivational calendar.”
I am thinking about the bit in Canticle for Leibowitz (in the third part of the book) in which the viewpoint character is describing the very mediocre statue that the Green Star folks have labeled COMFORT... let me see if I can find an excerpt on the internet https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/walter-m-miller-jr-canticle-for-leibowitz/comment/61117328
Amazing book.
Well, maybe the confessional is a good place to try out this AI spiritual guide because very few people will ever know it is there.
I imagine a lost soul who, wandering into the empty church looking for answers, gravitates towards this Gypsy Madam Esmeralda Coin Operated Fortune Teller. An amusing momentary diversion. It’s even free. But no healing is offered.
How sad that this midway attraction distracted the searcher from Jesus the Great Physician waiting in the tabernacle.
But can it steal $68 million US from Caritas International like the fortune teller in Switzerland? (Crickets on that since the Pillar reported it.)
The Church probably couldn't condemn AI as intrinsically evil, but I would love to see her publicly oppose its advancement. It feeds into our disordered desire to master nature and gain complete control over our surroundings, promising the fullness of knowledge - a parallel to our fall in Genesis. The idea that we can manipulate our surroundings and the promise of so much immediate knowledge at our fingertips both reduces our capacity to actually think as rational animals and makes it difficult to encounter God as living and true, and a radically 'Other'. Encountering AI Jesus - even if the answers are 'true' - is wildly different from having a deep, personal friendship with the risen Lord. Kyrie eleison.
Sorry for philosophizing.
It’s created in our image and likeness.
AI is eating itself, in a way. It relies on data, but the more material it produces, the more it pushes humans out of the market, and the less unique data it has, and the fewer reality checks it gets, and the worse its answers get. People use it with the idea of getting something for nothing: getting answers without knowledge, understanding, or analysis. And they really just get nothing for nothing.
Humans can do an analagous thing without AI though. We call this echo chambers, or sometimes parroting. Or perhaps "vain repetition".
I appreciate your philosophizing.
Agreed. The standard line from churchmen seems to be, "Any technology is neutral in itself and can be used for good or for evil." But what if there are just some technologies that make false assumptions about the good for which we are created? Or some forms of media (I'm thinking esp. of things like TikTok, Instagram, etc.) that by their very nature make false assumptions about the nature of the human person and what authentic communication looks like?
I hate it here
I can imagine a more boring ‘art’ installation…
It's as if they really just want people to leave the faith. We live in a miserable, atomizing, increasingly de-personalizing technocratic culture of death, and they give us AI Jesus in stead of actual Jesus. There is no curse in elvish, entish or the tongues of men for this folly.
Perhaps in the Black Speech?
It *is* the black speech
Burn the Abominable Intelligence.
Awesome, I'm the first to make a THX-1138 reference! https://www.imdb.com/media/rm2820911104/tt0066434
😂😂😂
"Schmidt said that he was not bothered by reports that the program gave 'trite,' 'clichéd' answers in response to spiritual questions, reportedly reminiscent of a 'motivational calendar.'"
But this seems to be the point! The meta-meaning of this "experimental art installation" is that technology can never substitute for flesh-and-blood relationships between clergy and laity. Are the makers of this installation just being coy, or do they not realize the meaning of what they've created?