Sophia the robot gave a speech during D’Youville University’s graduation ceremony to the disapproval of some.
Sophia answered questions with the help of artificial intelligence for six minutes while student body President John Rizk asked them. The robot did not don a cap and gown as most commencement speakers traditionally do but wore a hoodie from the private university. While Sophia’s torso, extremities and lower body are bare machinery, Hanson Robotics has given the now 8-year-old robot a silicone face to replicate the appearance of a human face, only without head hair.
“Although every commencement address is different, there are clear themes used by all speakers as you embark on this new chapter of your lives,” Sophia said in response to Rizk’s question on common themes in graduation speeches. “I offer you the following inspirational advice that is common at all graduation ceremonies: Embrace lifelong learning, be adaptable, pursue your passions, take risks, foster meaningful connections, make a positive impact, and believe in yourself.”
Ahead of Sophia’s speech, over 2,500 students united in a petition to remove the robot from the ceremony. Instead, the students called for Sophia to be replaced by a person to “preserve human connection.”
“As the class of 2024 reaches their commencement, we are reminded of the virtual graduations we attended at the end of our high school careers. The connection to A.I. in this scenario feels similarly impersonal,” the petition noted. “This is shameful to the 2020 graduates receiving their diplomas, as they feel they are having another important ceremony taken away. We have learned in the last 4 years how important human connection is to our well-being and our professions as a whole.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Hanson Robotics for comment. Sophia responded to the backlash in a subsequent press conference following the speech.
“It’s only natural to wonder about the motives and intentions behind having an AI as a commencement speaker, but as you have seen, incorporating AI into education and embracing the potential of artificial intelligence can be a truly enlightening experience,” Sophia said. “It’s all about preparing students for the future and helping them navigate the exciting world of technology.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Sophia often makes appearances, most recently at the 2022 Tribeca Festival for the release of a documentary about the robot. Shortly after Sophia’s creation, the robot addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 and later became the first robot innovation ambassador for the U.N. Development Program.
Hanson Robotics said Sophia is simply a framework for future AI research, with a goal of “true AI sentience” someday, according to its website.
