By Bob Smietana
She can quote the Bible at a moment’s notice, but Alexa may still need someone to introduce her to Jesus.
A series of recent viral videos shows Alexa—the digital personal assistant featured on Amazon’s devices—and other smart speakers struggling to identify the second person of the Trinity.
“Sorry, I’m not sure how to help,” the Google Home device says in one of the videos when asked to identify Jesus.
That answer has made some Christians mistrust Alexa and other smart speakers, reports Emily Miller of Religion News Service.
Almost 1 in 5 Americans have a smart speaker in their home, but the tech industry is still struggling with how to handle religion.
Google has temporarily turned off all references to religious figures on its smart speakers, reports Miller, while the company explores “different solutions.”
In some cases, however, Christians found some smart speakers do get religion.
Some Christians are using apps like YouVersion to get their daily dose of the Bible.
YouVersion offers a verse of the day and four different versions of the Bible, read by professional voiceover actors.
Or Alexa herself can read one of seven translations.
You can ask her to play the local Christian radio station or the podcast from a favorite pastor. There are also apps with daily devotions from best-selling authors.
There’s even a video that shows off Alexa’s Scripture reading technique to some folks gathered in their living room.
“Alexa, ask the Bible App to read Romans 10:17,” one of them says.
“So faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of Christ,” Alexa replies.
Apparently, the hearing can happen even with a digital voice from a smart speaker that may not have any idea who Christ is.
Related:
- iFaith: How Religion and Technology Coexist in a Digital Age
- How Technology Can Help Accomplish the Great Commission
- Using Technology Wisely
- 12 Steps to Living Smartphone Smart
BOB SMIETANA (@BobSmietana) is senior writer at Facts & Trends.
