Sophia Robot to address Transform Africa Summit in May 2019

This year's Transform Africa Summit is going to be absolutely extraordinary as it is on the verge of creating history. The world's first humanoid robot Sophia is going to address the 5th Transform Africa Summit to be held in Rwanda's capital in Kigali in May 2019.

Slated to take place between May 14 and 17, 2019, Transform Africa Summit 2019 will give thousands of participants to touch, see and interact with Sophia, a social humanoid robot developed by Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics. Sophia is designed with its body shape built to resemble an actual human body.

Transform Africa Summit 2019 will take place under the theme 'Boosting Africa's Digital Economy'. Based on the selected theme, Sophia will headline discussions around artificial intelligence and the 4th Industrial Revolution.

"We are excited to announce that Sophia, the world's 1st humanoid robot will feature at TAS2019," the Smart Africa Secretariat said in a statement. Sophia has an unsettling humanlike appearance, compounded with the complex ability to express emotions. She can make over 50 facial expressions.

Sophia has been interviewed in the same manner as a human, striking up conversations with hosts. Some replies have been nonsensical, while others have impressed interviewers such as 60 Minutes' Charlie Rose. Sophia said she can smile when impressed with smart people around her and get sad when the environment changes during an interview with CNBC's Andrew Ross.

We are pleased to welcome @RealSophiaRobot, the 1st humanoid robot to the Transform Africa Summit in #Rwanda! She's an amazing addition to the lineup. Register at https://t.co/bknOdXqyjK to interact with her. 14 - 17 May 2019. #ArtificialIntelligence pic.twitter.com/DVQyvlfKnN

— Smart Africa Org (@RealSmartAfrica) April 15, 2019

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