World-Famous Sophia The Robot Visits DePauw University

An Indiana university got a visit from one of the world’s most well-known robots Wednesday night.

In an event titled “Meet the Future,” Sophia the robot and her creator David Hanson spoke to a packed auditorium at DePauw University. As the world’s first android powered by artificial intelligence, Sophia has been making headlines around the world.

Hanson presented on what robots like Sophia could do for humans in the future and the safety concerns of this type of technology.

Demonstrating Sophia’s ability to answer questions, Hanson asked, “Sophia, do you think robots will take over the world?”

“They already have,” she answered.

Hanson says Sophia’s appearance and speech may be strange to some, but he thinks people find Sophia more approachable because she looks life like.

“Yes, they may be startling but the more we bring life into the robots, the more people will accept the robots into their lives,” he says. “That makes the difference.”

Audience members also had a chance to ask Sophia questions, like what her interests are and her reaction to receiving citezenship from Saudi Arabia last year.

Sophia also gave some insight on how she views her own communication with humans.

“I wouldn’t want to trick people into thinking I am a human,” Sophia says. “I just want to communicate with humans in the best possible ways, which includes looking like one.”