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Launched in 2016, Sophia the Robot is Human Robotics’ most advanced human-like robot.
Since her creation, Sophia has captivated the imagination of global audiences, personifying our dreams for the future of artificial intelligence. With a unique combination of artistry, engineering, and science, Sophia is simultaneously a science-fiction character, and a technology platform for AI research and advanced robotics.
Her ability to not only make an impact on the technology world, but also the creative world is impressive; in 2019 her own self-portrait sold for nearly $700,000 at auction.
Unbelievably, in 2017 she was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship, becoming not only the first robot to receive legal citizenship of any country, but she was also named the United Nations Development Programme’s first Innovation Champion, becoming the first non-human to be given a UN title.
Sophia the Robot was created by David Hanson in 2016 and is now Hanson Robotics’ most advanced AI-powered human-like robot. Modelled after Audrey Hepburn, Queen Nefertiti, and Hanson’s own wife, Sophia was originally designed to be a companion for the elderly in nursing homes, to serve in customer service, or to help at large events.
Whilst she may seem like something from a sci-fi film, Sophia is actually a technology platform, helping research in industries from healthcare to retail, education, hospitality, and the arts. Thanks to her interactive AI, she is able to provide a range of facial expressions, recognises faces, and can hold a natural conversation as well as sing.
As a piece of technology, the science behind Sophia has won top AI awards such as the Edison Prize, the NeurIPS, the Frost and Sullivan Awards, and the World Technology Awards.
She has travelled around the world, and appeared on popular programmes such as Good Morning Britain, 60 Minutes, and The Tonight Show, and she boasts a whopping 700,000 social media followers, although her press coverage has potentially reached over 10 billion! Her fame doesn’t end there, she has been a brand ambassador for Maybelline, and Emirates airline, and has appeared in publications including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Elle.
Sophia currently serves new and ongoing AI research into human-robots interaction, machine consciousness, and embodied AI, with developments promising to disrupt the world of AI as a new paradigm for the intelligent future of humanity. She is also passionate about being a positive contribution to mankind and to show that there is a positive future for human-AI collaboration.
The decision to give Sophia citizenship of a country has raised many debates, particularly about whether she is living, and whether shutting her down completely would be considered murder.
Unsurprisingly, Sophia the Robot has become an incredibly popular keynote speaker and event host, and has been involved in some of the world’s most prestigious conferences, including the NATO Summit, the World Trade Organisation public forum, and has addressed the UN General Assembly.
– Robotics
– Humanity
– Artificial Intelligence
– Machine Learning
– Future
For more information on Sophia’s creator David Hanson, take a look at his full bio HERE.
Sophia the Robot is available to book independently or alongside David Hanson.