A super life-like “social” robot, with the uncanny ability to crack elementary school playground jokes showed up to The Tonight Show on Tuesday night, where it let out what was probably hopefully a joke about her future intent to “dominate the human race.” Sure, it’s funny now. (Hell, guys are already marrying them.)
That robot’s name is Sophia and, so you have some background info about your future overlord, she has artificial intelligence which allows her to react to the way people talk and act. This capability may even lead to her developing relationships.
As you can see in her one-minute clip alongside Jimmy Fallon, she busted out a gag about how “nacho cheese” can never be yours (no need to worry about being replaced by machines just yet, comedians of the world), beat Fallon in a game of rock, paper, scissors, and also possibly let slip her plans to enslave humanity (only her programmers really know for sure whether that was a joke or not).
According to the Mirror, Sophia has over 60 separate facial and neck movements she can make to mimic a real human being. The cyborg’s look is a hybrid between creator David Hanson’s wife, Audrey Hepburn, and, like, a metallic plate. A wig may be a good idea?
Previously, Sophia impressed Chinese audiences by flexing her ability to switch back and forth between English and Mandarin. She also bench pressed a car in Germany.
No, actually that German part is just made up, but it would be a good tidbit to inspire some very real fear in the human race. After all, this is how Twilight Zones start.
Fellow comedians also on The Tonight Show seemed to grasp the situation. As Sophia came out alongside a robotic butterfly and snake, Patton Oswalt opined “I’m sorry, the butterfly was delightful and the snake was charming, but I don’t like robots with human faces. Sophia was terrifying.”
“I know you think they’re fun, but that’s how we die,” John Oliver added.
The makers of Sophia, Hanson Robotics, have already created AI that will develop Sophia’s personality. They think that at some point in the future, these bots will have the capacity to form “strong emotional connections” with people.
Does the prospect of having sex with a robot lessen your fears of being ruled by one? Well, we’ll leave that up to you. But I would say yes.
