Saint Paul Church over Sammatintie street in Vallila, Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Simo Räsänen
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A church in Helsinki will host Finland’s first worship service created entirely by artificial intelligence. St. Paul’s Church (Paavalinkirkko) will hold the service on 4 March as part of a special event week.
The AI system has generated the sermon, prayers, hymns, and introductory texts. It will also provide the spoken elements using the faces and voices of familiar priests projected onto a screen.
The organ music and some hymns have also been composed by AI, but a live choir director will be present to lead the congregation in singing.
Petja Kopperoinen, a priest at St. Paul’s, said the idea came after a study trip to Geneva, where he learned about a similar AI-generated service held in Germany. “I suggested it as a joke at first, but then we decided to take it seriously,” he said.
Despite the use of AI, human clergy will be present for discussions after the service. The experiment has also raised theological questions. According to Kopperoinen, the AI refused to perform absolution or blessings. “It said that these require a human. I agree—AI can say the words, but they would be meaningless,” he said.
The church’s vicar, Kari Kanala, informed Bishop Teemu Laajasalo of the Diocese of Helsinki in advance. Kanala expects mixed reactions. “Some will see it as worth exploring, others will judge without attending,” he said.
The church sees the event as a conversation starter rather than a replacement for traditional services. “Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday work life. This is about exploring its role, not replacing people,” Kopperoinen said.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
