ChatGPT receives about 70 million religion-related questions every week, with Christianity and Islam accounting for most of the interest, according to figures released by OpenAI.
An analysis of interactions between September 2025 and September 2026 found that Islam accounted for 45 per cent of religion-related requests, while Christianity represented 34 per cent.
Hinduism made up four per cent of the requests, followed by Judaism at two per cent and Buddhism at one per cent.
OpenAI also found that questions about religion increased around major festivals and holy days. Queries relating to Islam rose during Ramadan and Eid, while interest in Christianity grew around Easter.
The analysis examined the subjects people raised with the chatbot. On average, about 22 million weekly interactions involved questions about understanding religious texts. A further 16 million focused on the meaning of religious practices and festivals. Similar numbers concerned religious beliefs, questions of meaning and spiritual guidance.
Among Christian-related interactions, nearly half involved questions about passages from the Bible. Only 13 per cent concerned worship, sermons or church practices.
OpenAI said the figures suggested that people were turning to artificial intelligence to learn more about their faith rather than to replace it.
The company also cautioned that AI should support, rather than take the place of, personal religious guidance and relationships within faith communities.
It said technology should help people explore matters that are important to them, including their faith, while reinforcing human connections and religious institutions.
The researchers noted that religious life is shaped by shared traditions, personal conviction and relationships between people. AI may assist with these aspects of faith, they said, but should not become a substitute for them.
They added that artificial intelligence should not be treated as an authority on religious truth or as a replacement for guidance from religious leaders, individuals and congregations. Instead, it can provide tools to help people practise their faith, improve their understanding and build stronger connections with others who share their beliefs.
Based on reports by Christian Today UK.
