Vallejo Pastor Justin Lester from Friendship Missionary Baptist Church brings artificial intelligence to religious realm

VALLEJO, Calif. -- The artificial intelligence revolution is just about everywhere these days. Now a Vallejo, California pastor has turned to artificial intelligence to help his flock. He created an AI version of himself that followers can turn to.

"You forgot who you're talking to, and you forgot who my daddy was. You forgot where I had it from. You forgot how I said it. I have got special possession," said Steve Smedley, technical director at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

"If my church when I was a kid was like this, I might still be religious," said Nick Watt, CNN reporter.

Now, Pastor Justin Lester Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, is pioneering the inhuman.

He's cloned his mind, birthed an AI digital doppelganger, which ministers to his flock when the real man cannot.

"I can make an appointment with the pastor, but I can ask this question right now," said Smedley.

"It's amazing. You have to try it sometime," said Rev. Stephany Baker, spiritual development at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

"I will. I will," said Watt.

"I'm feeling a little lonely today," Watt said, talking to AI pastor.

AI-generated audio from Delphi.Ai/Mrjlester replied, "It's not good for a man to be alone. That's scripture, that's truth, and it applies to you right now. Loneliness isn't weakness. It's a signal that you were made for connection. So here's what I want you to do today. Reach out to one person."