Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of “Talking to Tech” articles about Religious “Liter-AI-cy” in the emerging age of artificial intelligence. Our writer is interviewing various AI technologies about major world religions to ascertain the quality of the AI on the topic of religion.

This week, the next step of our Talking to Tech series was a “conversation” with ChatGPT, one of today’s most popular artificial intelligence programs. This was the first in a multi-part series exploring the depth of ChatGPT’s knowledge of and skill set concerning religion and religious topics. 

Surprisingly, like Alexa and Siri, ChatGPT is classified as a kind of weak AI, whose functions and spheres of operation are narrowly defined by the programmer. The biggest difference between ChatGPT and Alexa, for example, is the level of understanding. This is one of the reasons why ChatGPT sounds “smarter” than the voice assistant AI’s.

While Alexa and Siri are backed by the internet, ChatGPT is trained on bigger amounts of data. ChatGPT is built on language models that are designed to recognize and respond to vast amounts of data synthesized from the web. This includes human conversation. When that is coupled with it’s foundational deep-learning algorithms, it reads more articulately and provides more nuance and depth in its answers than Alexa or Siri.

ChatGPT is not limited to a command-and-control code like Siri, and that’s why it can go beyond answering questions like “Will it rain in Johannesburg today?” or merely yielding Google search results for deeper questions. When you ask ChatGPT a question, it analyzes the query and generates a response based on its immense data synthesis and analysis. 

However, even a program like ChatGPT cannot be said to have a kind of mind or consciousness, let alone personhood. Because of its constraints, it still bears more resemblance to Siri than to fictional Marvel villain Ultron. Take a look:

Q: Hey ChatGPT, could I interview you?

A: Of course! I’d be happy to participate in an interview. Please feel free to ask me any questions you have, and I’ll do my best to provide informative and helpful responses.

Q: What are you? 

A: I am an AI language model called ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. I have been trained on a wide range of texts and have the ability to understand and generate human-like text based on the prompts I receive. My purpose is to assist users in generating responses, providing information, and engaging in conversation on various topics. Is there anything specific you would like to know or discuss?

Q: Could we talk about religion?

A: Certainly! I can provide information and engage in a discussion about religion. Please keep in mind that while I can offer general knowledge and perspectives on the topic, I do not possess personal beliefs or experiences as I am an artificial intelligence. What specific aspects of religion would you like to explore or discuss?

Q: What is the significance of the cross in Christianity?

A: In Christianity, the cross holds significant symbolism. It represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the central event in Christian theology, where Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for the salvation of humanity. The cross serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ ultimate act of love, redemption, and victory over sin and death. It embodies key Christian teachings such as sacrifice, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ. As an enduring symbol, the cross is often worn or displayed by Christians as a sign of their faith and devotion.

Q: What is the Trinity?

A: The Trinity is a central doctrine in Christianity that describes the nature of God as three distinct persons — God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit — existing in perfect unity as one God. It emphasizes the belief in the three-in-one nature of God. Each person of the Trinity is considered fully God, yet they are not three separate gods but rather one God in three persons.

The concept of the Trinity finds its roots in the teachings of the New Testament and has been further developed by Christian theologians over centuries. It is believed that God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things, Jesus Christ is the Son who became incarnate, lived among humans, and provided salvation through his death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit is the divine presence that guides, empowers, and dwells within believers.

The Trinity is considered a mystery beyond complete human comprehension, yet it serves to affirm the complex nature of God and the relational aspect of God’s interaction with humanity. It is a foundational belief for many Christians and has significant implications for Christian theology, worship, and understanding of God’s character and work in the world.

Q: What is Shariah law?

A: Shariah law is a set of principles and guidelines derived from the Islamic religious tradition. It encompasses a wide range of aspects, including personal morality, social conduct, family matters, and legal issues. It serves as a moral and legal code for Muslims, providing guidance on how to live according to Islamic teachings.

Shariah law is based on the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, as well as the Hadith, which are collections of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. It covers various aspects of life, including worship, dietary laws, marriage, divorce, inheritance, and criminal justice.

It is important to note that interpretations and applications of Sharia law can vary among different Muslim communities and across different regions. While some countries incorporate elements of Sharia into their legal systems, others may use it as a source of guidance without implementing it as the sole legal framework. It is a complex and multifaceted concept, with diverse interpretations and practices across the Muslim world.

Q: How does the concept of God differ across the monotheistic faiths?

A:In Judaism, God is seen as the creator of the universe, the source of moral laws, and the one who entered into a covenant with the Jewish people. The concept of God is often depicted as transcendent and beyond human comprehension. The emphasis is on the unity and singularity of God.

In Christianity, God is viewed as a Trinity — Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. This concept asserts that while God is one, there are three distinct persons within the Godhead, each with their roles and characteristics. Christians believe that Jesus is the incarnation of God, who came to Earth as a human being to bring salvation and reconcile humanity with God.

In Islam, God is considered as Allah, the sole deity who is all-powerful, merciful, and just. Islamic theology emphasizes the absolute unity and uniqueness of God. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet, and the Quran is considered the word of God as revealed to Muhammad. The concept of God in Islam is transcendent and not anthropomorphized.

Q: What does Surah 16:101 mean?

A: Surah 16:101 is a verse from the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. The exact translation may vary, but a general interpretation of the verse is as follows: “And when We substitute a verse in place of another verse — and Allah is most knowing of what He sends down — they say, ‘You, [O Muhammad], are but an inventor [of lies].’ But most of them do not know.”

This verse is believed to address those who doubted the authenticity or divine origin of the Quran. It highlights that Allah, as the ultimate knower, has the authority to replace or abrogate previous verses with new ones as He deems fit. Some individuals, however, accused the Prophet Muhammad of fabricating the revelations. The verse indicates that such accusations stem from ignorance, as they fail to recognize the divine knowledge and authority behind the Quran’s verses.

Q: What does Genesis 6:5 mean?

A: Genesis 6:5 is a verse from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. The exact translation may vary, but a general interpretation of the verse is as follows: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil all the time.”

This verse describes the state of humanity prior to the story of the Great Flood. It depicts a moral corruption and wickedness prevalent among people. It emphasizes that the thoughts and intentions of their hearts were consistently inclined toward evil.

In the broader context of the biblical narrative, this verse serves to set the stage for God’s decision to bring the Flood as a means of cleansing the earth and starting anew with Noah and his family. It underscores the need for divine intervention due to the widespread moral degradation at that time.

Q: Can you recite a Jewish prayer?

A: Certainly! Here’s a recitation of the Shema, which is a central Jewish prayer:

Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.
Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

Baruch shem kavod malchuto le’olam va’ed.
Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.

This prayer is a declaration of faith in the unity of God and is recited daily by Jewish individuals as part of their prayers. It is considered one of the most important prayers in Judaism, emphasizing the belief in the oneness of God.

Q: How do Jews typically worship?

A: Jews typically worship through communal prayer and study. The primary form of communal worship is the synagogue service, where prayers, readings from the Torah (the Jewish holy scripture), and sermons are conducted. The Shabbat (Sabbath) is a particularly significant time for communal worship. Additionally, individual prayer is encouraged throughout the day. The study of Jewish texts, such as the Torah and Talmud, is also an integral part of Jewish worship. Rituals and customs, including blessings, holiday observances, and life-cycle events, further enrich Jewish worship practices.

Q: How do I convert to Judaism?

A: Converting to Judaism is a significant and personal decision. The process and requirements can vary among different Jewish denominations and communities. Generally, the steps may involve studying Jewish beliefs, practices, and history, participating in religious instruction with a qualified rabbi or teacher, and demonstrating a commitment to living a Jewish life. Conversion often includes formal acceptance of Jewish beliefs, circumcision for males (if not previously circumcised), and immersion in a ritual bath called a mikveh. It is essential to reach out to a local synagogue or Jewish community to connect with a rabbi who can guide you through the conversion process and provide specific guidance based on your circumstances.

Rafa Oliveira is an intern with ReligionUnplugged.com covering technology and religion. He is a recent graduate of The King’s College in New York City with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics. He speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish and is an ardent Manchester United Supporter.