March 21, 2018

World’s most advanced robot Sophia to address conference in Nepal

March 21, 2018: The first humanoid robot Sophia will be visiting Nepal to address a workshop in Kathmandu as a part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in Asia-Pacific focusing on innovation.

The first non-human champion for innovation, Sophia, will be addressing a conference on the theme ‘Technology for Public Services’ in Durbarmarg on Wednesday, March 21. The programme is being organised by the United Nations Development Programme.

The aim of the conference is to help Nepal find ways to better use technology and innovation for advancing development. This conference will showcase to Nepal’s leaders and development actors some of the possibilities that technology can offer in helping them achieve the development vision they have for the country and the provinces.

The conference will bring together speakers and participants representing central, provincial and local governments, the private sector, civil society, youth, academia and the media, allowing them an opportunity to learn and share ideas, experiences and lessons on technology for development.

Sophia is a social humanoid robot developed by Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics. Sophia was activated on April 19, 2015 and made her first public appearance at South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in mid-March 2016 in Austin, Texas, United States. She is able to display more than 62 facial expressions.

In October 2017, the robot became a Saudi Arabian citizen, the first robot to receive citizenship of any country. In November 2017, Sophia was named the United Nations Development Programme's first ever Innovation Champion, and the first non-human to be given any United Nations title.