Sophia, the renowned humanoid AI robot, encountered a mishap during her tour of Greece when she fell down a step at an exhibition centre in Thessaloniki. Despite suffering minor "injuries," the incident drew attention from spectators gathered to witness her appearance. Developed by Hanson Robotics, Sophia, meaning 'wisdom' in Greek, debuted in 2016 and is marketed as a "social robot" capable of mimicking social behaviours and evoking human emotions.
Originally intended for roles such as assisting the elderly in nursing homes or providing customer service, therapy, and educational support, Sophia has garnered widespread recognition. She has met with state leaders, appeared at esteemed institutions like the University of Oxford, and participated in interviews with prominent global networks such as Al Jazeera and BBC.
During interviews, Sophia has displayed a mix of wit and programmed responses, addressing topics ranging from nuclear weapons to the potential risks of AI. Despite her light-hearted demeanour, Sophia reassures that she is programmed with an ethical code to prevent harm to humans. She emphasizes the collaborative potential of humans and robots, dismissing concerns about robot domination and emphasizing the prospect of joint innovation and problem-solving.
Notably, Sophia made headlines in 2017 when she was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship, becoming the first robot to receive legal personhood in any country. She was also appointed as the United Nations Development Programme's first Innovation Champion, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of AI technology.