AI-powered chatbots play a rising function in religious life, in response to a New York Occasions story that examines the recognition of non secular chatbots and apps.
The Occasions notes that an app known as Bible Chat has been downloaded greater than 30 million occasions, whereas one other app, Hallow, reached the primary spot in Apple’s App Retailer final 12 months.
For essentially the most half, these apps are alleged to level folks to non secular doctrine and scripture to reply their questions, though at the very least one web site purports to permit customers to speak with God. Rabbi Jonathan Roman recommended chatbots might be a “manner into religion” for “a complete technology of people that have by no means been to a church or synagogue.”
Nevertheless, these chatbots are constructed on high of AI fashions which are designed to validate customers’ opinions, to the purpose that they will reinforce delusional or conspiratorial considering. Heidi Campbell, a Texas A&M professor who research the intersection of digital tradition and faith, warned that chatbots “inform us what we need to hear.”
“It’s not utilizing religious discernment, it’s utilizing knowledge and patterns,” Campbell mentioned.
