Can AI predict next pope? ChatGPT, Musk’s Grok, Google Gemini struggle with Vatican riddle
Artificial intelligence (AI) was struggling on Wednesday to forecast the outcome of the notoriously secretive and unpredictable process by which Catholic cardinals elect a new pope.
The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor, with everyone from Vatican insiders to bookmakers scrambling to guess who it will be.
Agence France-Presse asked four AI chatbots – including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and billionaire Elon Musk’s Grok – for insights into the potential front runners, with mixed results.
Grok and Google’s Gemini said their top contender is Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s number two during nearly all of Francis’s papacy.
“Based on current analysis and prominent discussions, Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerges as a strong contender,” said Gemini.
But it also listed some eight others – including ChatGPT’s leading pick.