Why three robot sisters could be the friendly face of AI

Sophia the robot was created by Hanson Robotics and activated in 2016. She was the first non-human to be given a UN title and was also granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. It’s hoped that humanoid robots like Sophia can help familiarize people with the idea of artificial intelligence (AI).

Hanson Robotics

These humanoid robots are breaking new ground

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CNN —

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our everyday lives, found in everything from social media algorithms to e-commerce and navigation, but not everyone is comfortable with the idea. The key to winning over a skeptical public could be a family of robot “sisters.”

Sophia, Grace and Desdemona are humanoid robots, each programmed with sophisticated AI. The oldest of the three, Sophia, was first activated in 2016 and gained widespread attention, mostly for her looks. Whereas most artificial intelligence operates discretely out of sight, powering things like software and smartphones, Sophia is designed to look like a young woman and gained celebrity status as the face of AI.

In 2017, Sophia was named the United Nations Development Programme’s first Innovation Champion — the first non-human to be given a UN title. In the same year she was granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia.