AI Humanoid Robot ‘Sophia’ Delivers Speech During Private University’s Graduation Ceremony

Though students protested against this feat, university officials invited an artificial intelligence (AI) humanoid robot to speak during their graduation ceremony, claiming that it aligns with the AI theme of this year's event.

A Step To 'Bridge Education and Technology'

Sophia, a popular AI humanoid robot, spoke before more than 2,000 attendees, including graduates, their families, and faculty members, during the function that D'Youville University organized.

In a Facebook post, the university shared that such developments are an example of welcoming technology. The event was also aimed at representing an intersection between education and technology.

Before this, some students protested against this move, with their online petition receiving nearly 2,000 signatures. However, the officials claim that the decision to invite Sophia matches their AI theme this year. Lorrie Clemo, the university president, shares that higher education plays a huge role as an incubator for innovation and for preparing students for future challenges and opportunities.

AI Humanoid Robot Gives Graduation Speech

Influential public figures usually deliver commencement speeches addressed at educational institutions' graduation ceremonies. These influential guests may include authors, activists, or politicians.

However, unlike regular practice, an AI humanoid robot dressed in a college hoodie delivered the graduation speech at D'Youville University.

The bot introduces itself in its opening remarks, explaining that it was designed for interaction with humans and conversation engagement by adapting and learning through the AI algorithm. Sophia clubbed some thoughts that were drawn from various earlier commencement speeches.

The robot shares that though each commencement address is unique, there are themes that speakers use as graduating students enter their new life chapter. Sophia proceeds to say that it offers inspirational advice that can be found in usual graduation ceremonies, namely, being adaptable, pursuing passions, embracing lifelong learning, fostering meaningful connections, taking risks, believing in oneself, and making a positive impact.

As the meeting concluded, Sophia stressed the importance of addressing failures as students enter a world of intense competition.

After this session, John Rizk, the president of the university's Student Government Association and a candidate for the accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, threw some fun questions at the humanoid robot.

Sophia: an AI Humanoid Robot

Behind Sophia's development is Hanson Robotics, a Texas-based robotics and engineering firm. According to the company, the humanoid robot is a platform for both robotics and AI research, focusing more on social robots' commercial use and human-robot interactions.

Modeled after Audrey Hepburn and the wife of David Hanson, the company's founder, Sophia is capable of mimicking more than 60 expressions of humans. Sophia uses facial recognition, AI, and an internet connection to replicate human behavior accurately.

Since Sophia debuted in 2016, the robot has seen various milestones. These milestones include teaching STEM to children, tweeting, controversially releasing a statement of desire to destroy humans, and gaining Saudi Arabian citizenship.

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