A church in Finland just handed the microphone to artificial intelligence. St. Paul’s Lutheran in Helsinki hosted a service where AI wrote the sermons, composed the music, and even generated avatars of pastors and historical figures. That included a resurrected version of a former Finnish president who’s been dead since 1986.
On the sanctuary’s big screen, AI conjured up Jesus and Satan for a battle of good versus evil. Jesus had the classic long hair and beard, while Satan looked like he just walked out of a corporate boardroom—modern clothes, smug expression, and a higher-pitched voice. It was a spectacle, to say the least.
The event was a hit. More than 120 people showed up—far beyond the usual Tuesday night crowd. Some even traveled from out of town just to witness this high-tech experiment in worship.
AI didn’t just handle the preaching. It wrote some hymns, composed the music, and created every visual on display. The entire service was a digital production, turning a centuries-old tradition into something straight out of a sci-fi novel.
This wasn’t just for tech nerds. The audience included people who barely spoke Finnish and still came to see what AI-powered spirituality looked like. The message was clear: AI isn’t the future—it’s already here.
Sure, AI can crunch numbers and drive cars, but should it lead a church service? That’s the real question. Faith has always been about human connection, something no algorithm can replicate. A digital pastor might sound impressive, but can it comfort the grieving or inspire the faithful?
For now, St. Paul’s Lutheran sees this as an experiment, not a revolution. But if AI preachers start popping up in more churches, don’t be surprised. The line between faith and technology is getting blurrier by the day.
Five Fast Facts
- Finland has one of the highest rates of internet usage in the world, with over 90% of its population online.
- The world’s first AI-generated sermon was delivered in Germany in 2023.
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Helsinki was founded in 1905 and has long been known for embracing modern technology.
- AI has been used to create deepfake videos of historical figures delivering speeches they never gave.
- The Vatican has warned about the risks of AI influencing religious teachings, emphasizing the need for human spiritual guidance.
