Song Jung-a and Christian Davies in Seoul
OCTOBER 22 2023
Pastors welcome the time technology frees up so they can spend longer with followers but caution against overuse
The word of God is reaching the ears of South Korean Christians through chatbots.
Online church services using artificial intelligence are rapidly becoming an essential part of worship in Korea, where Christianity is the biggest religion, as tens of thousands turn to chatbots and audio bibles for spiritual sustenance.
This year, local start-ups have launched generative AI bible study and prayer service apps, which in particular pull in young Protestants.
Pastors have welcomed the time the technology frees up for them to take care of their flock, who account for about a fifth of South Korea’s 52mn population. But they are also conscious of the need to maintain the human touch and have cautioned against relying too much on the latest technology for religious activities.
Awake Corp, the developer of ChatGPT-based bible chatbot service Ask Jesus — now rebranded as Meadow — has since its launch in March attracted about 50,000 users, including 10,000 from outside Korea. The app has drawn Christians in Muslim countries such as Pakistan as well as in the US and other western countries.
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