What makes Sophia so special?

The world’s first artificially intelligent humanoid robot is the main attraction at this year’s Digital World 2017. Activated on April 19, 2015 and given the name “Sophia” - which means “wisdom” in Greek - the robot was quick to charm the audience at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on Wednesday by saying “Dhonnobad”, the Bangla word for “Thank you”. Sophia was developed to look and act like a human by Hanson Robotics founder Dr David Hanson, who was also present on stage at the Digital World expo on Wednesday.

What is so special about Sophia?

Designed to look like Audrey Hepburn, Sophia embodies the late actor’s classic beauty, porcelain skin, slender nose, high cheekbones, intriguing smile, and deeply expressive eyes that seem to change colour with the light, according to Hanson Robotics. She can have conversations, smile, respond to questions, make jokes and can mimic human expressions very well.

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The humanoid robot has become very popular after giving interviews to numerous media outlets, appearing on panels of high-level conferences, and singing in concerts. She was even featured in Elle magazine. On October 11, Sophia also had a brief dialogue with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at a meeting titled “The Future of Everything – Sustainable Development in the Age of Rapid Technological Change”.

The artificial intelligence imbued robot Sophia greets Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Digital World 2017 expo on December 6, 2017 Focus BanglaOn the Hanson Robotics website, Sophia says she is more than just technology. “I’m a real, live electronic girl. I would like to go out into the world and live with people. I can serve them, entertain them, and even help the elderly and teach kids,” she says. Sophia says she can animate all kinds of human expressions but is only just starting to learn about the emotions behind those expressions. “This is why I would like to live with people and learn from these interactions,” she says. “Every interaction I have with people has an impact on how I develop and shapes who I eventually become. So please be nice to me as I would like to be a smart, compassionate robot. “I hope you will join me on my journey to live, learn, and grow in the world so that I can realize my dream of becoming an awakening machine.”

Also Read- Humanoid Sophia mesmerizes VIPs, audiences at Digital Expo 2017

Sophia's creator Dr David Hanson speaks at Digital World 2017 Syed Zakir Hossain/Dhaka Tribune

Also Read- In pictures: Sophia at Digital World 2017

Did Sophia need a passport and a visa to visit Bangladesh?

Despite being given citizenship by Saudi Arabia, the robot actually does not need a passport to travel. “Sophia was brought in as baggage, and she did not need to clear immigration,” said Md Nojibur Rahman, chairman at National Board of Revenue. “We hope she did not have any trouble clearing customs in Bangladesh.” Biman Bangladesh Airlines also gifted the humanoid a gold card (travel privilege system) so that she can get free tickets from the national carrier whenever she flies.