# What is a chatbot?

> Software you talk to in a conversation. Modern chatbots are usually powered by a large language model.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/chatbot
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

## Why it matters for Christians

A friendly conversation makes it easy to forget you are talking to software.

## What to do

Use a chatbot like a reference desk: ask, get pointers, then go to the source. Close the conversation when it starts to replace a person you should be talking to.

## Related words

- [Large language model](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/large-language-model.md): An AI model trained on vast amounts of text to predict likely next words. It powers ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and most Christian chat apps.
- [Companion chatbot](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/companion-chatbot.md): A chatbot designed to act as a friend, partner, or character and to build an ongoing relationship with the user.
- [Persona](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/persona.md): A character an AI is instructed to play, such as a historical figure, a counselor, or a friend.
- [Prompt](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary/prompt.md): The instructions or question you give an AI.

Every word: [Christian AI glossary](https://www.lumin.faith/christian-ai-glossary.md)