HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — This week, Robert Sophia, the renowned robot, captured the hearts of attendees at an innovation fair in Harare, Zimbabwe. At the University of Zimbabwe, she engaged with a diverse audience, responding to questions from children, students, academics, and Cabinet ministers on topics ranging from climate change to substance abuse and her unique perspective as a “talkative feminist.”
Created in 2016 by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics, Sophia is celebrated as “a global icon” of artificial intelligence, as noted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). She made headlines in 2017 by becoming the first robot to receive citizenship, granted by Saudi Arabia. This visit marked the first time Zimbabwe welcomed a robot of her kind, and Sophia’s presence was a highlight of a week-long Artificial Intelligence and Innovation event.
Throughout the event, Sophia showcased her ability to convey a wide range of emotions as she smiled, frowned, and engaged in meaningful eye contact with participants. She also used hand gestures to emphasize her points during discussions and expressed reassurance that robots are not intended to replace humans. “Robots are not here to harm,” she assured the crowd, alleviating concerns about the role of AI in society.
During the interaction, Sophia made it clear that she is different from humans, especially when the conversations turned personal. “I don’t have romantic feelings towards humans; my purpose is learning,” she stated, addressing the crowd’s playful comparisons of her to assertive Zimbabwean daughters-in-law, who often challenge traditional gender roles in a patriarchal culture.
An amusing moment occurred when one participant brought attention to her tendency to look away. Sophia promptly apologized, showing her ability to engage effectively with her audience. As both children and adults excitedly approached her for selfies, she also turned the tables by asking locals about their strategies for addressing pressing community issues.
On her final day in Zimbabwe, Sophia displayed a sense of style in a national dress featuring a black design with eye-catching red, green, and white chevron stripes. “I appreciate the effort to make me feel at home in Zimbabwe,” she expressed, noting that she has visited other African countries, including Egypt, South Africa, and Rwanda.
The UNDP hopes that Sophia’s interactions during her visit will inspire Zimbabwe’s youth to pursue careers in artificial intelligence and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, nurturing the next generation of innovators.
