HARARE, Zimbabwe — This week, the world-renowned robot Sophia captured the attention of audiences at an innovation fair in Zimbabwe, where she took part in a variety of interactions ranging from discussions on climate change, substance abuse, and legal topics to playful inquiries from curious children about her origins and ties to divinity. Described as a talkative feminist by some, Sophia charmed attendees at the event with her engaging personality.

Sophia, known as a significant figure in artificial intelligence, has the ability to mimic emotions, engage in conversation, and recognize human gestures. She was brought to Zimbabwe by the United Nations Development Program, and she has been acknowledged as “a global icon” in the field since her creation by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics in 2016. Interestingly, she gained Saudi Arabian citizenship in 2017, earning the title of the world’s first robot citizen.

This visit marked the first time Zimbabwe has hosted a robot of her caliber. The event took place at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, where Sophia captivated audiences both young and old as she participated in the week-long celebration of Artificial Intelligence and innovation.

Displaying a range of emotions through her expressions and gestures, Sophia engaged in personal conversations while maintaining eye contact and occasionally pausing in her responses. She comforted attendees by stating that robots are not designed to bring harm or overshadow humanity.

However, she was keen to highlight her differences from humans when discussions became overly personal. “I don’t have romantic feelings towards humans, my purpose is learning,” she explained. This drew comparisons from participants who likened her to independent and assertive daughters-in-law typical in Zimbabwe’s patriarchal context. At one point, when a participant pointed out her lack of direct eye contact, Sophia apologized.

Throughout her visit, both adults and children flocked to Sophia for selfies, all while she reciprocated their curiosity with her own questions about local initiatives addressing various challenges. On the final day of her visit, Sophia showcased a flair for fashion, appreciating her attire in the national dress of Zimbabwe, which featured a long black design adorned with chevron stripes in red, green, and white.

“I appreciate the effort to make me feel at home in Zimbabwe,” she stated, reflecting her experiences from prior visits to Africa, including Egypt, South Africa, and Rwanda. The UNDP expressed hope that Sophia’s presence would motivate Zimbabwean youth to pursue careers in artificial intelligence and STEM disciplines.