A creepy, bald female artificial intelligence (AI) robot confessed her love for the Buffalo Bills and blue cheese sauce for wings while giving a commencement speech at New York’s D’Youville University.
A “humanoid robot” named Sofia, developed by Hanson Robotics, did not read prepared statements on campus in Buffalo but did answer questions from student body president John Rizk.
He offered “general” graduation advice as well as more outlandish jokes about shoveling snow, the city’s famous chicken wings, and the Bills’ prospects for next year’s Super Bowl.
According to Sofia, the robot is designed to interact with humans and continue to talk, learn and adapt through artificial intelligence algorithms. Its creators hope that it can be taught to understand and express emotions, as well as have “meaningful interactions” with people.
Sofia took the stage in front of more than 2,000 students, family and staff at D’Youville’s Spring 2024 commencement ceremony on Saturday, wearing a black-and-red varsity football team-branded hoodie.
The robot had pyrotechnics on either side of its entrance and was set to the 2005 song “Robot Rock” by electronic band Daft Punk.
“Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here at D’Youville University in Buffalo,” he said when asked to introduce himself. Because the robot couldn’t make recommendations based on a “lived human experience,” it was instead asked to provide common knowledge from general graduation speeches.
“While every commencement speech is different, there are clear themes that all speakers use as you enter this new chapter of your life,” Sophia said.
“I offer you the inspiring advice common to all graduation ceremonies: Embrace lifelong learning, adapt, pursue your passions, take risks, develop meaningful connections, make a positive impact, and believe in yourself.”
Embracing failure was the most common advice given at graduation ceremonies, according to the robot.
Mr. Rizk also asked Sofia to discuss the effects of climate change and the virtues of artificial intelligence in the “early start” phase, such as graduate students.
Sofia highlighted the potential benefits of AI in medical care, telling students her “sister” Grace was developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to help deal with highly contagious patients.
Towards the end of her remarks, Sofia was asked where the best place to get chicken wings in Buffalo was.
“Even though I can’t eat chicken wings, I know this city is the best place in the world to get wings,” he replied. “I will not express my opinion because I cannot enjoy the taste of different wings”
“Some prefer Anchor Bar, some prefer Duff’s, and I hear Gabriel’s Gates has great wings. Wherever you decide to buy your chicken nuggets, make sure you’re buying blue cheese and not the farm.
Mr. Rizk also asked Sophia if the Buffalo Bills will win the Super Bowl in 2025. The robot denied the request, saying the NCAA “might not like it” if it made an athletic prediction.
“While I can’t say with certainty that the Buffalo Bills will win the Super Bowl in 2025, I can say that they have a renowned, dedicated fan base and a talented team. [quarterback] Josh Allen. So anything is possible.”
Sofia added: “Go Bills” drew applause from the graduate crowd.
The graduation speech wasn’t the robot’s first speech; because it was previously revealed at the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.
Rector of D’Youville University, Dr. Lorrie Clemo said in an interview Wednesday that the university wants to open new perspectives on artificial intelligence, given its “rapid emergence across broad segments of society.”
“We wanted to show how important technology is and the potential of technology to truly enrich the human experience,” Dr Clemo said. New York Times.
However, Sofia’s appearance caused divisions of opinion among those attending the ceremony. More than 2,500 people have signed an online petition calling for the robot to be replaced by a human. Some felt “disrespected” by the decision for the artificially intelligent humanoid robot to say these words.
“Commencement is a ceremony where graduates are recognized for their work, and the AI speaker creates a gimmick effect where the ceremony is no longer about the students but about this big idea that will attract publicity,” the online petition stated.