APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CHURCH ACTIVITIES: OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITATIONS

Abstract

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) as a defining technological innovation of the twenty-first century is increasingly shaping diverse spheres of social life, including religious practice and ecclesiastical institutions. This article explores the application of artificial intelligence in church activities with particular emphasis on its theological, ethical, and social implications. The study focuses specifically on the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, examining it as a representative case of a traditional religious institution navigating the challenges of digital transformation. The purpose of the study is to examine the attitudes of clergy and laypeople toward artificial intelligence and to assess its potential role within the life of the Church. The research is grounded in an interdisciplinary framework that integrates insights from theology, philosophy of technology, and contemporary studies on religion and digitalization. A mixed-method approach is applied, combining a quantitative survey among 80 participants - laypeople and believers affiliated with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - with qualitative semi-structured interviews with 12 clergy members and academic theologians. Drawing on recent scholarly discussions on digital religion and artificial intelligence ethics (Campbell, 2020; Floridi et al., 2018), the empirical findings are situated within a broader conceptual context. The results indicate that the majority of respondents (68.1%) are familiar with the concept of artificial intelligence and demonstrate a neutral to moderately positive attitude toward its use in everyday life. Artificial intelligence is perceived as a useful tool in administrative and informational domains, recording the highest acceptance rates for administrative tasks (76.4%), information services (69.4%), and translation of religious texts (63.9%). By contrast, its involvement in spiritual and pastoral practices raises significant concerns, with only 12.5% of respondents supporting its use for sermons and spiritual counselling. Respondents express strong reservations related to the authenticity of religious experience, the preservation of spiritual authority, and the potential impact on personal faith and the relationship with God. Notably, 85.4% categorically reject the possibility of artificial intelligence replacing a priest in spiritual activities, and 62.5% believe that its use in religious contexts may weaken the personal connection with God. The findings suggest that while artificial intelligence can effectively support certain non-sacral and organizational functions of the Church, it cannot replace the human and spiritual dimensions of religious life. The study concludes that the integration of artificial intelligence in Bulgarian Orthodox church activities requires careful ethical and theological reflection, ensuring that technological development remains aligned with the core values and traditions of the Church. The paper contributes to the interdisciplinary dialogue between technology and religion by offering empirical insights from an Eastern Orthodox context and highlighting the need for a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence in religious communities.