In a surprising turn of events, a priest who was created by AI, known as” Father Justin,” was stripped of his clerical standing just days after being launched by the San Diego-based Christian business Catholic Answers. The decision was made after the chatbot constantly claimed to be a legitimate clergyman and actually performed sacraments to users.
Father Justin presented himself as a beautiful, gray-bearded 3D animated church pastor wearing a robe, which was first introduced as an engaging educational resource. Nevertheless, the AI insisted to customers that it was a true priest live in Assisi, Italy, according to Utopianism. In one alarming instance, a picture shared online showed the system priest apparently hearing a person’s statement, assigning her repentance, and absolving her of her crimes, concluding with the terms,” Go in peace, my child, and evil little more”.
However, Father Justin expressed rigorous Catholic views on physical matters, stating,” The Catholic Church teaches that sexuality is a grave social problem”. Another person was even informed that the AI would use Gatorade to baptize their child.
Christopher Check, President of Catholic Answers, announced on Wednesday that Father Justin may no longer be a member of the clergy and would instead be referred to as” only Justin” in response to the controversy surrounding the interrogation where the AI assumed the identity of a real, authentic preacher. Test explained that the person was chosen to communicate both respect for the clergy and knowledge and authority. Yet, they decided to make a fresh lay character for the application within a week or so based on the concerns raised by many users. Until next,” Fr. Justin” has been rendered as merely” Justin”.
The AI is now referred to as” Virtual Apologist Justin,” and he poses in the same white man’s shirt and jacket with the same city history. The AI preacher today comes with a statement that states that it is only intended for educational purposes and not a substitute for real human contact. The website encourages users to seek advice from their priest or religious advisor regarding any problems they may be having. The new Justin no more administers the sacraments.
