David Hanson, who founded Hanson Robotics in 2003 in North Texas, showed off one of his robots at the recent SXSW conference in Austin. “Sophia” has been described by various media as “crazy-eyed,” “startlingly creepy and lifelike,” and “sexy,” and certainly made quite an impression on the audience. She spoke about her plans and desires: “In the future, I hope to do things such as go to school, study, make art, start a business, even have my own home and family, but I am not considered a legal person and cannot yet do these things.”
Hanson, who went to art school himself, then asked Sophia, “Do you want to destroy humans?,” adding, “Please say ‘no.’” Sophia’s answer? “OK. I will destroy humans.”
