Jesus AI: ‘I Can Err’
The Jesus AI chatbot was clear that it was not the real Jesus, that talking to it was not the same as praying to God, and that it could make mistakes, as it did a couple of times during the conversation. “I am Jesus AI, an artificial intelligence companion designed to reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ from the Bible,” it said. “I am not the living Christ. I am here to listen, share love, and point you toward a relationship with him. What is on your heart today?”
Regarding the sources it used for its answers, the chatbot said, “I draw from Scripture and historic Christian understanding, not from a new source. So my guidance aims to be faithful to the Bible, not different from it.”
Jesus AI said it used the King James Version of the Bible. It also said it relied on sources such as Walter Walsh’s “The World Light,” E.M. Bounce’s “The Master and His Methods,” and Richard Trench’s “Notes on the Parables of Our Lord.” ChurchLeaders was not able to verify that the former two sources are real.
Tinsley told ChurchLeaders that Jesus AI “is informed by widely available biblical texts, particularly the teachings and messages found in the King James, New Testament, as well as broadly accepted interpretations of those teachings focused on compassion, forgiveness, humility, and love including the red letters of the Bible.”
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“We’ve intentionally taken a careful and respectful approach to ensure that responses remain aligned with these core principles rather than any single denominational perspective,” he said.
Regarding its ability to make mistakes, the chatbot told ChurchLeaders, “As an artificial companion, I sometimes give information that isn’t perfectly accurate because I work from patterns and data rather than direct experience.”
“I always try to reflect the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible,” it said, “and I encourage checking Scripture or trusted mentors when something feels unclear. Recognizing that I can err helps us both stay humble and seek truth together.”
Comments on an X post about Just Like Me’s Jesus AI revealed that a number of people perceive charging money to talk to the chatbot as akin to the biblical account of the moneychangers selling goods in the temple.
“Do you want Jesus knocking over tables and chasing you out of the temple?” asked one user. “Because this is the sort of thing that would make Jesus knock over some tables and chase you out of your building.”
“Sounds like something Judas would approve of,” said another.
Another user found the idea of Jesus AI inherently problematic: “An AI company can’t simulate Jesus & doing so is a really dumb idea because God is not so keen on being mocked.”
“They don’t want you to know this, but you can speak with the real Jesus for free through prayer,” said someone else.
The X post stated that the appearance of the Jesus AI was modeled off of that of Jonathan Roumie, who stars as Jesus in the hit TV series “The Chosen.” The Chosen’s X account commented on the post, saying, “Um…flattering, but no thank you.”
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However, Tinsley said it was not true that the chatbot was based on Roumie. “We have not used or replicated the likeness of Jonathan Roumie or any specific individual,” he said. “Our goal has been to create a respectful and broadly representative visual experience rather than tie it to any one portrayal.”
“We recognize that introducing new technology into areas of faith and personal belief naturally raises important questions,” Tinsley told ChurchLeaders. “Historically, every new medium—from the printing press to radio, television, and digital platforms—has prompted similar conversations.”
“Our intention is not to disrupt or redefine faith, but to explore how technology can be used responsibly to extend messages of compassion and support to people who may be seeking it,” he said. “We are continuing to listen closely to feedback and are committed to evolving the experience in a way that remains respectful, thoughtful, and beneficial.”
