AI Bots Discuss the Next Pope
The passing of Pope Francis on April 21 has left the Catholic Church in mourning and sparked speculation on who his successor will be. This has led to a flurry of predictions from various sources, including AI chatbots.
Insights from AI Chatbots
AFP consulted four AI chatbots, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Elon Musk's Grok, to gather insights on the potential frontrunners for the next Pope. The results were varied, with each chatbot offering its own perspective.
Grok and Google's Gemini identified Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's second-in-command during Pope Francis's tenure, as a strong contender for the papacy. Gemini stated, "Based on current analysis and discussions, Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerges as a top candidate."
On the other hand, ChatGPT highlighted Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as its leading pick, citing his alignment with the Church's direction under Pope Francis. Tagle, known for his advocacy for the vulnerable, is seen as a frontrunner from Asia.
The Challenge of Prediction
Despite their analyses, the AI chatbots acknowledged the complexity of predicting the next Pope. Factors such as the cardinals' beliefs, age, and the secretive nature of the selection process make it a challenging task.
Gemini emphasized that while AI can identify patterns, predicting the papal election goes beyond data analysis. ChatGPT clarified that its prediction was based on trends and considerations, rather than a definitive forecast.
In contrast, Mistral AI opted out of the speculation altogether, stating, "I don't have the ability to predict the next Pope." Instead, it advised relying on reputable news sources for accurate information.
As the race for the next Pope continues, the AI chatbots provide intriguing insights into the selection process, highlighting both the possibilities and limitations of AI predictions.
