Zimbabwe Showcases AI Potential with Unveiling of First Humanoid Robot, Sophia

Harare, Zimbabwe – The University of Zimbabwe introduced the nation’s first humanoid robot, Sophia, during a special event held on Thursday, December 12. 

 

Sophia, a cutting-edge humanoid robot equipped with advanced artificial intelligence and robotics capabilities, was created through a partnership between Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong, and local researchers at the University of Zimbabwe. The robot's ability to engage in lifelike conversations and perform human-like movements highlights Zimbabwe’s growing interest in artificial intelligence and robotics innovation. 

 

The unveiling ceremony drew attention from key figures, including Honourable Tino Machakaire, the Minister of Youth. In an online post following the event, Machakaire expressed his optimism, stating, "Zimbabwe’s journey in artificial intelligence begins here, and Sophia embodies our commitment to exploring emerging technologies." 

 

Sophia’s introduction has been met with a range of reactions. Supporters see it as a bold step toward positioning Zimbabwe in the global AI community, while others have questioned whether adopting pre-existing technologies like Sophia is sufficient for long-term innovation. 

 

The event not only highlights Zimbabwe's ambitions to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution but also raises the question of how the country will continue to develop its AI capabilities and compete on a global scale.