Strangely, it seems that artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage -- I suppose it was inevitable that we would turn to artificial since it often seems there is so little intelligence or common sense in us. The idea that AI can serve as a tool of the faith is also all the rage. But can programmed knowledge replace the priest or pastor? Can an algorithim solve the problem of relevance or truth? Can a soul-less machine replace a minister with a soul in serving the souls of people?
You look. Undoubtedly it will be in somebody's future but it will not be in mine. . .
Over four years ago "robot pastors" were already the rage, as noted in a June 2, 2017, Pastor Meanderings blog, "Robo Pastor. . .": The robot, located in Wittenberg, is associated with the Evangelical (Prussian Union) Church in Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland), which has pastrixes and totally removed from Lutheranism.
ReplyDeleteHere's an archived copy of a May, 2017, article, "Robot 'preacher' can beam light from its hands and give automated blessings to worshippers," from the Daily Mirror British tabloid.