’Sophia’ the robot tells UN: ’I am here to help humanity create the future’

’Sophia’ the life-size social robot speaks at the United Nations, telling the audience she is ’a year-and-a-half old and I can see you, have a  full conversation, make thousands of facial expressions and understand speech and meaning behind words’. It adds: ’And I just got these new hands – check this out’ before moving its fingers. United Nations deputy secretary general Amina J Mohammed asks the robot a question about how the UN can help those without basic needs such as electricity. ’Sophia’ quotes William Gibson before talking about how artificial intelligence is more efficient and can be used to better distribute resources. The robot thanks the audience before attempting a slightly forced smile. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► Support the Guardian ► Today in Focus podcast ► The Guardian YouTube network: The Guardian ► Guardian Footb