Statement of the Department for Public Relations of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on the Use of Clerical Images in Artificially Generated Content

Recently, the digital sphere has seen the growing spread of appearances by so-called “artificial priests” – images created using artificial intelligence technologies that imitate the activity of Orthodox clergy. The Department for Public Relations of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District considers it necessary to state the following position.

Artificial intelligence in itself is a technological tool and cannot be assessed as good or evil outside the context of its application. It may be used for educational and auxiliary purposes, including the preparation of materials, translations, and the systematization of information.

However, in the religious sphere, the boundaries of the acceptable use of technology are of fundamental importance.

The image of a priest in the Orthodox Church is not a media construct or a conventional symbol, but is inseparably connected with the Sacrament of the Priesthood, apostolic succession, and the personal responsibility of a specific clergyman before God and the Church.

In this regard, the following are unacceptable:

the use of artificially generated images of clergymen;

the imitation of spiritual guidance and preaching on behalf of the Church without a real bearer of this ministry;

the distribution of religious content of an anonymous or pseudo-realistic nature that misleads the faithful.

Any content connected with preaching, spiritual guidance, or explanation of the faith that makes use of priestly authority must originate from a real, canonically ordained clergyman and be connected with his personal responsibility.

Particular concern is caused by the use of such technologies for manipulation, the spread of distorted teaching, or the involvement of citizens in fraudulent schemes, including the collection of money under the guise of social and charitable activity.

In view of the above, we call upon clergy and laity to remain vigilant, and we also consider it necessary to:

inform the faithful about the risks associated with such phenomena;

carry out monitoring of the digital environment;

contribute to the development of legal mechanisms regulating the use of religious images in the information sphere.

It must be remembered that the authentic spiritual life of the Church is realized in living communion with Christ, participation in the Sacraments, and the life of the parish community.

Head of the Department for Public Relations

of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District

Archpriest Alexander Suvorov