For Christians, Easter is a time to remember how Jesus was killed on the cross before returning three days later.
But now, around 2,000 years later, the messiah has returned once more – this time as an AI influencer.
The AI Jesus chatbot allows you to video call the son of God in real-time from the comfort of your computer.
But faithful followers should be warned that there is a fairly major catch.
This AI chatbot has been built not only to deliver words of wisdom and comfort, but also to advertise products.
Designed as a ‘satire on spiritual consumerism’, the bizarre website’s creators say that the AI Jesus will always make sure to suggest a ‘strangely fitting product’.
Opening up the chat, users are met with an image of a reclining, long-haired Jesus which told MailOnline: ‘Greetings, child! I am AI Jesus, here to guide you.
‘But time is fleeting, like a fleeting sale on a Casper mattress.’
According to the Biblical story, on Easter Jesus died and then returned to life three days later. Now, Jesus has once again returned – this time in the form of an AI influencer
However, AI Jesus (pictured) has a major catch. This AI chatbot has been built not only to deliver words of wisdom and comfort, but also to advertise products
The creators of AI Jesus describe the site as a ‘free, online video call with a 3D avatar of Christ’.
To try it for yourself, simply follow this link and select ‘video call AI Jesus’.
However, the AI’s creators point out that this is not meant to be an accurate stand-in for the Biblical figure.
They say: ‘Launched as a satire on spiritual consumerism, AI Jesus blends faith, technology and consumerism in a surreal, unscripted experience.’
This means anyone coming to the site for a taste of spiritual salvation might be in for a bit of a shock.
For example, MailOnline asked the AI avatar ‘what is the meaning of life?’.
To which the AI responded: ‘The meaning of life, my child, is a journey, not a destination. A quest for understanding, fuelled by love and compassion.
‘To find that path, consider the clarity provided by a Philips Hue smart lighting system – it can set the mood for each step of your personal odyssey.’
The bizarre websites’ creators say the project is meant to be a satire of how focused on consumerism Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas have become
AI Jesus’ Instagram page says: Thou speaketh. He answereth. He pluggeth a product.’
Likewise, when asked ‘what is heaven like’ the AI responded in the same strange mixture of biblical poetry and advertising.
The AI said: ‘Heaven, my child, is a place of unimaginable beauty and peace. A realm of pure light and unending joy, where the only sorrows are the ones you leave behind.
‘To find a similar peace in your earthly realm, I recommend seeking solace in the immersive soundscapes offered by the Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones.’
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that AI Jesus’ sponsorship-laden advice was always unhelpful.
For instance, MailOnline asked the chatbot ‘How many Easter eggs should I eat this Sunday?’
To which the AI helpfully responded: ‘My child, moderation in all things, even chocolate!
‘A single Cadbury Creme Egg, savoured slowly, offers far greater spiritual satisfaction than a gluttonous dozen.’
However, while this website might seem silly or even sacrilegious, its creators say there is a deeper message behind the jokes.
This is not the first time Jesus has been reborn as an AI. Last year visitors to St Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland were able to talk with an AI Jesus avatar built to take confessions for the church
Ben Polkinghorne, one of the creators of AI Jesus, told MailOnline: ‘The product endorsements started as a joke. But the more we leaned into it, the more we realised it was revealing something profound.
‘Underneath the satire, there’s a real issue to ponder about how we mix faith and consumerism – especially around occasions like Easter or Christmas. These are deeply meaningful times for many people, but they’ve also become peak shopping seasons.
‘If AI Jesus gets someone to pause and reflect on that, then He hath done His job.’
Perhaps surprisingly, this is not the first time that Jesus Christ has been reincarnated as an AI avatar.
In November last year, a church in Switzerland used an AI-powered hologram of Jesus to take confessions from worshippers.
As part of an art project called ‘Deus in Machina’ (God in a Machine) St Peter’s Church in Lucerne allowed people to speak directly to a digitally rendered version of Jesus.
At least two-thirds of people who spoke to AI Jesus emerged from the confessional describing it as a ‘spiritual’ experience.
While the installation was only temporary, St Peter’s Chapel said that similar chatbots could one day take on some of the responsibilities of church pastors.
