An uncommon video circulated on-line this week displaying a church viewers applauding what gave the impression of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University. The clip appeared like a sermon from past the grave.

Featured Video

However, the pastor presenting it harassed that Kirk by no means stated these phrases. Instead, the audio got here from an AI-generated voice designed to imitate him.

The scene unfolded at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas. Pastor Jack Graham launched the clip by clarifying, “This is not an actual clip of Charlie Kirk. He never said these words. This is an entirely AI-generated fabrication that, nonetheless, garners a standing ovation.” Despite this disclaimer, the congregation nonetheless reacted with enthusiasm.

What the AI “Charlie Kirk” robotic stated

During the service, Graham described the clip as a transferring experiment. He defined, “I think it was created. I know it was created on AI, artificial intelligence, from the words of Charlie Kirk.”

“I was so moved just to hear it between services. You’re hearing something the first service didn’t. But I want you to watch this clip and hear what Charlie is saying regarding what happened to him this past week.”

The AI-generated voice then delivered a message in a robotic tone. It started with, “First, I want you to know I’m fine, not because my body is fine, but because my soul is secure in Christ. Death is not the end. It’s a promotion. Don’t waste one second mourning me.”

The voice continued, urging the viewers to not give up to division. “Do not let this violence divide us further. The enemy wants chaos, fear, and retaliation. Don’t give it to them.”

It additionally known as for loyalty to conservative causes. “Remember this: America is worth it. Free speech is worth it. Fighting for the unborn, for families, for sanity in a culture gone mad. It is all worth it.”

The crowd responded with cheers and applause. Many rose to their toes, providing a standing ovation to a voice generated by software program quite than an actual particular person.

Pastor Graham ended the second with tears, telling his congregation, “I love you so much, church. I love you for things just like that.”

Viewers on-line reacted rapidly to the unusual spectacle. Some criticized the church for celebrating a fabricated message, whereas others mocked the surreal high quality of the scene.

@3662brendon wrote, “‘double down on truth’ and it’s just a chaotic mishmash of lies and wish fulfillment.” Another, @jopehaley, added, “Maga has lost their god d*mn minds.”

Frustration additionally appeared in harsher critiques. @Aadam_P declared, “Standing ovation for AI slop, we are beyond cooked, we are in the trash now.” Similarly, @Sevenofnot remarked, “We can’t share a country with these rubes, going to have to set up reservations for brain-scrambled Evangelical AI-worshippers to quarantine their dementia.”

Some identified deeper considerations about religion and manipulation. @TomBalestrieri stated, “This is way more f**ked up than dancing on his grave.” Meanwhile, @jdrumm11 concluded, “the churches again giving away the game that they simply make shit up, because their audience has already proven themselves to be that f*cking stupid and gullible.”

The web is chaotic—however we’ll break it down for you in a single each day e-mail. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s e-newsletter right here.