'This is Evil': AI Tool Charging $2/Minute to Talk with Jesus Faces Massive Online Backlash
A new AI avatar trained on the Bible charges users $1.99 per minute for video calls with a digital Jesus.
The AI company 'Just Like Me' has ignited a firestorm of controversy with its latest offering: a paid AI avatar of Jesus Christ. For $1.99 per minute, users can have video conversations with a digital Jesus, which the company claims is trained on the King James Bible and various sermons. The avatar, modeled after actor Jonathon Roumie's portrayal in the series 'The Chosen', is designed to offer prayer, encouragement, and multilingual support, with a monthly package of 45 minutes for $49.99. CEO Chris Breed positioned the tool as a source of digital mentorship and personal connection.
However, the platform has faced massive online backlash, with many religious users labeling the monetization as 'evil.' Critics on social media argue the service exploits faith, noting that prayer to the divine requires no subscription fee. The backlash highlights the growing ethical tensions as generative AI expands into deeply personal and spiritual domains, following similar tools like 'Buddhabot.' While Pope Leo XIV has acknowledged AI's potential, he has also warned of its risks to spiritual development, making this a pivotal case study in the commercialization of sacred interactions.
- Just Like Me's AI Jesus avatar charges $1.99 per minute ($49.99 for 45 min/month) for video calls.
- The model is trained on the King James Bible and uses the likeness of actor Jonathon Roumie from 'The Chosen'.
- The service has sparked widespread condemnation online, with users calling it 'evil' for monetizing prayer and faith.
Why It Matters
This case tests ethical boundaries for AI, questioning the commercialization of spiritual guidance and personal faith.