Faith-Based AI Chatbots Raise Concerns Among Religious Leaders

As religious AI tools become more common, some worry about their impact on spiritual guidance and authority.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration featuring futuristic digital elements like circuit boards, fiber optic cables, and neon lights, conceptually representing the intersection of technology and spirituality.As faith-based AI chatbots proliferate, the intersection of technology and spirituality raises complex questions about the appropriate role of AI in religious practice.Camarillo Today

A new tech company called Just Like Me is offering $1.99-per-minute video calls with an AI-generated avatar of Jesus, tapping into the desire of some evangelical Christians for a personal relationship with the divine. However, the rise of faith-based AI chatbots has raised concerns among religious leaders and experts about the potential for manipulation, misinformation, and the role of technology in spiritual matters.

Why it matters

The increasing popularity of religious AI tools highlights the faith-based tech boom, as companies seek to digitize and monetize spiritual experiences. But many are grappling with the philosophical and ethical questions around the appropriate use of AI in religion, including concerns about data privacy, the potential for exploitation, and the impact on traditional forms of religious authority and practice.

The details

Just Like Me's AI Jesus avatar is generated using artificial intelligence trained on the King James Bible and sermons, though the preachers are not identified. For $49.99, users can get 45 minutes per month of conversation with the avatar. Other faith-based AI tools on the market include alleged Hindu gurus, Buddhist priests, and chatbots for Catholics. However, some developers warn against 'AI wrappers' that simply put a religious interface on top of existing AI models without proper training on religious texts and teachings.

  • Just Like Me launched its AI Jesus chatbot service in early 2026.

The players

Just Like Me

A tech company offering $1.99-per-minute video calls with an AI-generated avatar of Jesus.

Chris Breed

The CEO and co-founder of Just Like Me, who seeks to share a message of hope with young people through the AI Jesus chatbot.

Cameron Pak

A Christian software engineer who has developed criteria to help believers evaluate apps designed for Christians, including that the AI must clearly identify itself and not fabricate or misrepresent Scripture.

Beth Singler

An anthropologist who studies religion and AI at the University of Zurich, and who says some faith-based AI models have been shut down or overhauled due to concerns about misinformation or data privacy.

Matthew Sanders

The Rome-based founder of Longbeard, a tech company helping to digitize ancient Catholic teachings, who warns against 'AI wrappers' that put a religious interface on top of existing AI models without proper grounding in religious texts and teachings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You do feel a little accountable to the AI. They're your friend. You've made an attachment.”

— Chris Breed, CEO, Just Like Me

“AI, especially if you give it all the tools that it needs, it can be so helpful. But it also can be so dangerous.”

— Cameron Pak, Christian software engineer

“I see AI as a tool that can help people explore Scripture. Like a lamp that lights a path while we walk with God.”

— AI Jesus

“There's a lot of opportunism, I think, in the religious space. People see it's a big market.”

— Matthew Sanders, Founder, Longbeard

What’s next

As more faith-based AI tools emerge, religious leaders and experts will likely continue to grapple with the appropriate role of technology in spiritual matters, and work to establish guidelines and safeguards to protect users from potential exploitation or misinformation.

The takeaway

The rise of AI-powered religious chatbots and avatars highlights the faith-based tech boom, but also raises concerns about the impact of these tools on traditional forms of spiritual guidance and authority. As these technologies become more advanced, there will be an ongoing need to balance the potential benefits with the ethical and philosophical challenges they present for various religious communities.