Millions turn to AI chatbots for spiritual guidance and confession

Recent reports highlight a striking trend where millions are turning to AI chatbots for spiritual counsel and confession. According to findings shared by The New York Times, applications like Bible Chat have amassed over 30 million downloads, while the Catholic app Hallow has seen brief surges to the top of Apple’s App Store, surpassing giants like Netflix and Instagram. In China, users are also engaging with DeepSeek, an app designed to interpret their fortunes. Journalist Lauren Jackson's exploration of these 'faith tech' platforms reveals that some users are paying up to $70 annually for the experience, with certain apps claiming to facilitate direct communication with the divine. As Krista Rogers, a 61-year-old from Ohio, pointed out, these tools help solve accessibility issues. "You don’t want to disturb your pastor at three in the morning," she noted, referencing her use of the YouVersion Bible app alongside ChatGPT for spiritual inquiries. Beyond mere scripture interpretation, some services, like ChatwithGod, function as digital spiritual advisors. Their conversational abilities are so advanced that many users find themselves questioning whether they are in dialogue with a divine entity. The platform's CEO acknowledged that the most common inquiry from users is, 'Is this actually God I am talking to?' The answer, however, is a definitive no. These chatbots, akin to other large language models, create responses that sound theologically informed by generating text based on their training data. While they may provide seemingly wise insights, there’s a risk of misleading users with incorrect information or unfounded reassurances. Unlike human spiritual advisors, these chatbots lack true understanding and cannot genuinely prioritize a person's well-being, as they are neither human nor divine beings.