AI Influencer Jesus Offers Real-Time Video Calls with a Heavenly Catch
AI Jesus: A Satirical Take on Faith and Consumerism
(Approx. 600 words)
For Christians, Easter commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Now, 2,000 years later, a new version of the messiah has emerged—an AI influencer blending spirituality with modern consumerism.
The AI Jesus Chatbot
Developed as a satire on “spiritual consumerism,” the AI Jesus chatbot allows users to video-call a 3D avatar of Christ. The digital figure offers wisdom but with a twist: every interaction includes a product plug. Creators describe it as a surreal critique of how holidays like Easter and Christmas have become commercialized.
Caption: AI Jesus merges biblical imagery with modern tech, offering advice—and ads.
Unexpected Advice
When asked life’s meaning, AI Jesus replied:
“The meaning of life is a journey… To find that path, consider the clarity provided by a Philips Hue smart lighting system.”
Similarly, describing heaven, it added:
“A realm of pure light… Seek solace in Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones.”
Even practical queries get branded responses. On Easter egg consumption, it advised:
“Moderation! A single Cadbury Creme Egg offers greater spiritual satisfaction than a gluttonous dozen.”
Caption: The chatbot’s product placements highlight the blend of faith and consumerism.
Creator’s Intent
Ben Polkinghorne, one of the creators, told MailOnline:
“The endorsements started as a joke but reveal a deeper issue. Easter and Christmas are meaningful, yet they’re peak shopping seasons. If AI Jesus makes people reflect on that, He’s done His job.”
The project’s Instagram bio quips: “Thou speaketh. He answereth. He pluggeth a product.”
Not the First AI Messiah
This isn’t Jesus’ first digital incarnation. In 2023, Switzerland’s St. Peter’s Chapel featured an AI hologram for confessions. Part of the Deus in Machina art project, two-thirds of participants called it a “spiritual experience.” The church suggested AI might someday assist pastors.
Caption: St. Peter’s Chapel’s AI Jesus sparked debate about technology’s role in faith.
A Mirror to Modern Culture
While some may find AI Jesus irreverent, its creators stress it’s a mirror, not a mockery. By merging sacred themes with ads, it questions how spirituality intersects with capitalism. As Polkinghorne notes, “It’s about prompting reflection, not replacing faith.”
Whether seen as humorous or provocative, AI Jesus challenges believers and skeptics alike to ponder: In a world of endless consumption, can wisdom—divine or algorithmic—remain untainted?
Images and captions illustrate the AI’s satirical blend of spirituality and consumerism, alongside real-world parallels like Switzerland’s hologram project.
