Vikas Agarwal, an expert in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing, writes a special column for Deccan Mirror about Sophia, the first robot citizen.
Are people prepared to live with robots? When Saudi Arabia gave citizenship to Sophia, the first robot citizen in history, in October, that subject ignited a global debate. Since its creation by Hanson Robotics, Sophia has come to represent the advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), posing ethical, technological, and societal concerns.
Sophia’s groundbreaking recognition didn’t end there. The humanoid robot was also named the United Nations Development Programme’s first “Innovation Champion” — the first non-human to receive such an honor. Designed by American roboticist Dr. David Hanson, Sophia is envisioned initially as a guide for hospitals, education programs, and therapy sessions. Sophia’s unique ability to mimic emotions and portray human-like facial expressions is made possible by state-of-the-art AI algorithms.
Sophia’s face was an amalgamation of actress Audrey Hepburn, Hanson’s wife Amanda Hanson, and the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Interviews with Sophia have highlighted its outstanding conversational talents, yet some unclear responses hint at its limitations. Nevertheless, Sophia keeps audiences interested, demonstrating expanding use in interpersonal communication. The media outlets also questioned Sophia as though she were a human guest, and after hearing some of its responses, they were taken by surprise.
But there has been some dispute around Sophia’s rise. Online criticism of Saudi Arabia’s citizenship decision included queries like: Can Sophia vote? Get married? Would shutting it off constitute murder? Even though these hypotheticals almost seem comical, they draw attention to unresolved moral and legal issues with AI’s social integration.
Proponents contend that in order to solve the world’s labor deficit, robots like Sophia are crucial. The need for qualified personnel in the healthcare, education, and other service sectors is greatly greater than the supply as populations rise. Sophia represents a potential option, serving as a supplement in circumstances requiring substantial human care.
However, some doubt Sophia’s usefulness. Its incapacity to make judgments on its own presents a problem, especially in delicate situations like therapy or patient care.
Despite the disagreements, Sophia continues to be a global ambassador for new generation technology. It continues to visit conferences, summits, and interactive events, stimulating conversations about the role of robots in our lives. The question of whether Sophia will become a truly indispensable companion remains to be seen. For the time being, it remains a stunning blend of scientific innovation and ethical quandary—a beautiful, thought-provoking symbol of what our future with technology may bring.
