American Christians are asking AI for spiritual tips while worrying it might garble scripture and replace the Almighty.
A survey of Americans published this week by the evangelical polling outfit Barna asked what Christians thought about AI as a spiritual mentor.
A full 48 per cent of practising US Christians told Barna they trusted AI’s advice to help their spiritual growth. More surprising was that 34 per cent said spiritual advice from AI was just as trustworthy as the stuff they would get from a flesh-and-blood pastor.
That rose among younger believers, with 39 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 44 per cent of millennials agreeing that preachers and AI were at trust parity. Pastors were less keen on being replaced by a chatbot in a clerical collar.
Only 12 per cent agreed that AI could help people grow spiritually, which suggests the shepherds have noticed the algorithm sniffing around the flock.
There is a fairly high level of tension among American Christians when it comes to AI. At the same time, half say it is helping their spiritual journeys, but most are worried about what it might do to their faith.
A full 83 per cent of practising US Christians think AI is likely to misinterpret scripture. Another 73 per cent worry AI will cause loss of religious faith, while 72 per cent believe it is starting to replace God and earthly spiritual leaders.
Barna vice-president of research Daniel Copeland said: “Christians say they trust AI with spiritual growth, and a meaningful share say its spiritual guidance is as trustworthy as a pastor’s, yet large majorities are simultaneously concerned about AI misinterpreting scripture, replacing God, or undermining the role of spiritual leaders.”
AI and religion have been butting mitres for the past couple of years, with the Catholic church especially narked about the technology. Late Pope Francis called on governments to create global AI rules in 2023 and urged people not to use AI models for moral and ethical decisions.
Vatican AI authority Friar Paolo Benanti later accused Silicon Valley elites of playing God with their creations, which was pretty much the church’s job.
