On Reformation Day in 2023, an AI-powered Metaverse avatar, modeled after Martin Luther was launched. An online audience could interact with the reformer, the their questions were processed by ChatGPT, which was prompted to communicate in the style of a contemporary Martin Luther. The AI's responses were vocalized by the avatar, complete with realistic hand movements, within the Metaverse environment and streamed live on YouTube Avatar Development. The project began with research on Martin Luther to ensure the avatar's accuracy. Adjustments were made to make the avatar more relatable to a modern audience. The Luther avatar is an experiment in making the messages of the Reformation accessible to contemporary audiences. Its potential applications include use in in religious instruction and confirmation classes. The project is positioned for further development. Challenges and Ethical Considerations A prominent ethical question revolves around the ownership and representation of the avatar's personality. In this experiment, the AI was programmed to avoid antisemitic responses, thereby more closely aligning the avatar with the ethos of contemporary Protestant teachings while omitting controversial aspects of Luther's later years. However, this programming approach opens up possibilities for the avatar to represent various theological positions, including pro or anti-LGBTQAI+ stances. This raises complex issues about the ownership and portrayal of historical religious figures in a modern era: Who defines an avatar’s personality?

Future Directions

With the rapid development of technology, especially in the immersive environments of the Metaverse, it becomes crucial to address the underlying theological and ethical questions. The ethical implications of employing AI for religious representation and purposes in such immersive digital spaces are profound and may lead to new expressions of faith and religious praxis: Just imagine to apply this technology to create a Jesus avatar.

For further details on the project, we kindly invite you to visit:

https://theonet.de/2023/10/29/martin-luther-as-an-ai-powered-3d-real-life-avatar-answers-questions-live-on-youtube/