Catholic AI Chatbot Via Launches for Youth Faith Questions
In an era where digital platforms often amplify extreme viewpoints, a Flemish Catholic youth organization has introduced a novel solution to guide young people through their spiritual journey. The new AI chatbot, named Via, is designed to provide nuanced and thoughtful answers to questions about faith and identity.
A Digital Companion for Modern Faith
The chatbot is an initiative by Kamino, a Catholic youth group, developed through a unique collaboration between AI specialists, theologians, and youth pastors. Via is now accessible directly on the Kamino website, offering a dedicated space for inquiry and reflection. The project was created to address a growing concern: young individuals are increasingly turning to the internet for spiritual guidance, only to be met with a lack of balanced, mainstream Catholic perspectives.
Countering Online Polarization
Sofi Van Ussel, the director of Kamino, highlighted the core problem in a statement reported by Belga News Agency. “The problem is that radical opinions about the Christian faith are much more prevalent online today than the voice of the nuanced middle ground,” she explained. Van Ussel also pointed out how the algorithms on platforms like TikTok and YouTube can inadvertently lead users down a rabbit hole of one-sided, and often radical, content.
How Via Provides Guidance
To ensure its responses are authentic and grounded in official teaching, Via has been trained extensively on a foundation of Catholic sources, including Scripture and official Church documents. It acts not as an authority, but as a guide. The chatbot frequently encourages users to connect with real-world experts such as theologians, professional counselors, and youth ministers for deeper conversation.
Importantly, the developers have programmed Via to be a safe and neutral tool. It deliberately avoids offering opinions or making judgments on sensitive and complex issues like sexuality or abortion, instead directing users towards human-led pastoral care.
Future Expansion and Availability
While Via is currently only available to Dutch speakers, Kamino has ambitious plans for the future. The organization intends to roll out versions in other languages as international interest in the innovative tool grows, making this unique form of digital ministry accessible to a wider global audience.
