Digital Jesus: an inquiry in artificial intelligence

TLDR

This study provides specific insights, such as the emergence of a more authorative and aphoristic style in the fine-tuned model while also raising important questions about whether and how AI might have a role in understanding narratives and religious texts as it too functions as an interpreter of Jesus.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper explores the unique capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly GPT-3, in creating a digital representation of Jesus. The core of the study involves fine-tuning the AI model on the sayings of Jesus as presented in multiple English translations. The primary objective is to analyze how the model, through this specific training, constructs and conveys a version of Jesus. This playful exploration focuses on the AI’s responses to a series of questions after fine-tuning contrasted with the responses of the original GPT-3 model. This study provides specific insights, such as the emergence of a more authorative and aphoristic style in the fine-tuned model while also raising important questions about whether and how AI might have a role in understanding narratives and religious texts as it too functions as an interpreter of Jesus.