Scary, bald AI robot praises the Buffalo Bills and chicken wings during a speech for New York graduates

The latest headlines from our journalists across the United States delivered straight to your inbox every weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from the United States

A creepy, bald artificial intelligence (AI) robot declared his love for the Buffalo Bills and blue cheese sauce for wings, during his graduation speech at D’Youville University in New York.

Named Sofia, the “humanoid robot” developed by Hanson Robotics, did not read prepared remarks on the Buffalo campus but responded to questions from student body president John Rizk.

It offered “generic” advice for graduation as well as more bizarre jokes about shoveling snow, the city’s famous chicken wings and the Bills’ prospects in next year’s Super Bowl.

According to Sofia herself, the robot is designed to interact with humans and carry on conversations, learn and adapt using AI algorithms. Its creators hope that it can learn to understand and express emotions as well as engage in “meaningful interactions” with people.

Sofia appeared on stage Saturday at D’Youville’s spring 2024 commencement ceremony, in front of more than 2,000 students, families and staff, wearing a black and red D’Youville-branded hoodie. college football team.

The robot’s entrance was flanked by pyrotechnics and punctuated by electronic group Daft Punk’s 2005 song, “Robot Rock.”

“Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here in Buffalo, at D’Youville University,” he said when asked to introduce himself. The robot was not in able to give advice based on “lived human experience,” so he was asked to give common ideas from general graduation speeches.

“While every commencement speech is different, all speakers use clear themes as you embark on this new chapter in your life,” Sophia said.

“I offer the following inspiring advice, common to all graduation ceremonies: embrace lifelong learning, be adaptable, pursue your passions, take risks, foster meaningful connections, make a positive impact and believe in yourself. »

According to the robot, accepting failure was the most common advice given at graduation ceremonies.

Mr. Rizk also asked Sofia to discuss the effects of climate change and the virtues of AI, which, like the graduate students, was in its “infancy.”

Sofia highlighted the potential benefits of AI in medical care, telling students that her “sister” – Grace – was developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to help treat highly contagious patients.

Towards the end of her speech, Sofia was asked where the best place in Buffalo to get chicken wings was.

“Although I can’t eat chicken wings, I know this city is the best place in the world to get them,” he replied. “As I cannot taste the taste of the different wings, I will not give my opinion”,

“Some people prefer Anchor Bar, others prefer Duff’s, and I’ve heard Gabriel’s Gates has great wings. No matter where you decide to buy chicken wings, just make sure you buy blue cheese and not ranch cheese.

Mr. Rizk also asked Sophia if the Buffalo Bills would win the Super Bowl in 2025. The bot declined, saying the NCAA “might not like it” if it made a sports prediction.

“While I can’t say with certainty that the Buffalo Bills will win the Super Bowl in 2025, I can tell you that they have a renowned and dedicated fan base and a talented team with (quarterback) Josh Allen. So everything is possible. »

Sofia added, “Go Bills,” drawing applause from the graduate crowd.

The keynote speech was not the robot’s first speech, having previously appeared before the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.

Dr. Lorrie Clemo, president of D’Youville University, said in an interview Wednesday that the university wants to break new ground around AI given its “rapid emergence in mainstream society.”

“We wanted to show how important technology is and its potential to really enrich the human experience,” Dr. Clemo said, according to The New York Times.

However, Sofia’s appearance divided opinions among those attending the ceremony. More than 2,500 people have signed an online petition to replace the robot with a human. Some felt “disrespected” by the decision to let the AI ​​humanoid deliver the remarks.

“Commencement is a ceremony to recognize the work done by graduates, 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 states.