A Southern California technology company has launched an artificial intelligence tool that allows users to hold live video conversations with an avatar of Jesus, raising questions about the role of AI in matters of faith.
The company offers the service at $1.99 per minute or through a monthly package priced at $49.99 for 45 minutes. It says the AI-powered avatar is designed to provide guidance and emotional support to users navigating everyday challenges.
Design and technology behind the avatar
Developers say the avatar’s appearance is inspired by The Chosen, in which Jesus is portrayed by Jonathan Roumie. The system has been trained on the King James Bible and a selection of sermons, though the company has not disclosed full details about its training sources.
During interactions, the avatar appears on a vertical screen. It blinks slowly and pauses before responding. Its speech does not always align perfectly with its lip movements, especially in multiple languages, and minor glitches can occur.
Company perspective and user experience
The CEO of the company said the platform is intended to offer hope through accessible, technology-driven interaction. He acknowledged that users may form a personal connection with the system, describing the experience as one where individuals can feel a sense of accountability and attachment over time.
The company has issued disclaimers clarifying that the AI is not Jesus Christ and does not possess divine authority. It also states that the service is not meant to replace religious faith, clergy, or scripture.
Public reaction remains divided
The launch has drawn mixed reactions online. On X, some users criticized the concept, arguing that spiritual connection does not require paid digital services. Others responded with humor, pointing to the subscription model as an unusual extension of modern technology into religious life.
A new app allows people to video chat with an AI Jesus avatar for $1.99 or $49.99 for a 45-minute call each month 🙏💰 pic.twitter.com/e545jbvTsh
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) April 13, 2026
Growing trend of AI in spiritual spaces
The product is part of a broader trend in which developers are creating AI systems tailored to personal and spiritual needs. Similar AI tools have emerged across different religious contexts which are trained on extensive church teachings.
Debate over ethics and authenticity
The rise of such tools has prompted debate among technologists and religious observers. Cameron Pak, a Christian software engineer, has argued that faith-based AI applications should clearly identify themselves as artificial systems and avoid generating or altering sacred texts. He has also said that AI cannot perform spiritual acts such as prayer because it lacks life and consciousness.
Some critics have drawn comparisons to earlier eras of religious broadcasting, including televangelism led by figures such as Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker. They warn that AI systems, which can foster continuous and personalized interaction, may deepen emotional engagement in ways that raise ethical concerns.
As artificial intelligence continues to expand into sensitive areas of human experience, the debate over its place in spiritual life is likely to intensify.
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