"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. In this age of rapid technological advancement, we are surrounded by the marvelsAmazing or marvellous things. of AI. While technology can enhance our lives, we must remember that it is a tool, not a substitute for God's divineGodly or god-like. wisdom. Let us guard against technology replacing the divine in our hearts. Amen."

It is a moving sermonA talk on a religious subject. on technology's ability to mediateAct as a go-between. our relationship with faith. What may not be immediately apparent is that this speech was written by an AI chatbot.¹

It is an increasingly popular tool. In South Korea, where around one fifth of the population of 52 million is Christian, artificial intelligence is experiencing a boom among churchgoers.

A new Christian chatbot app named "Meadow" claimed to have attracted 50,000 users within three days of its recent launch, 10,000 of which came from outside Korea.

However, the app's designers have warned against viewing the Chatbot as a direct mouthpiece for God. "AI is just a technology," they have cautioned.²

Even pastors and ministers are using AI to create shortcuts in their work. A recent survey by the Ministry Data Institute found that around 20% of Korea's Protestant ministers have used ChatGPT to create sermons.³

Some, however, view this as uniquely blasphemous Showing disrespect for God or a religion.. Sermons, Bible readings and conversations with local pastors are supposed to constitute a form of spiritual experience for Christians. They start at the core of what it means to be human - to experience existentialRelating to the state of human existence. Existential dread can refer to grappling with your own experiences of responsibility and death. anxiety, grief, fear, uncertainty.

It is one of just many fields being uprooted. Due to particularly lenientLighter or more merciful treatment than expected. technology laws, South Korea has become a world leader in experimental AI. The company Pulse9 has created a series of high-profile virtual human newsreaders, influencers and sales agents. AI humans have even enrolled at universities and interned at huge companies.⁴

Yes: When you communicate with a pastor or religious leader, Christians believe it is the Word of God speaking through them as His children. As AI is not one of God's children, it cannot be spoken through.

No: Pastors are using AI in order to reach more people, not to outsource faith altogether. It is just as valid to get interpretations of Bible passages or spiritual advice from a machine. Otherwise, it might be argued that we should not even use Google.

Or... The app "Meadow" brings us one step closer to getting rid of an entire religious profession which upholds the role of faith in many societies.