- D’Youville University in Buffalo breaks tradition with A.I. robot commencement speaker.
- Sophia, the humanoid A.I. from Hanson Robotics, addresses over 2,000 attendees.
- Dr. Lorrie Clemo discusses the university’s aim to explore A.I.’s societal impact.
- Sophia’s unconventional address emphasizes universal advice for graduates.
- Despite initial backlash, Sophia’s speech receives applause for its optimistic tone.
Main AI News:
In a landscape where choices for commencement speakers vary widely, colleges and universities often pursue diverse avenues. Some opt for local luminaries, while others lean towards the gravitas of former or current political figures. Entertainers, be they actors or comedians, are also frequently enlisted for the task. However, breaking from convention, one New York-based university made a bold departure by inviting an Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) entity to address its graduating class over the weekend.
At the recent spring commencement ceremony, D’Youville University in Buffalo took a distinctive step by having Sophia, an A.I. robot, deliver an address to an audience comprising over 2,000 attendees, including students, faculty members, and families. This unconventional choice sparked a range of reactions within the community.
Dr. Lorrie Clemo, President of D’Youville University, explained in an interview the institution’s motive behind this decision, citing a desire to broaden perspectives on A.I. given its rapid integration into society. “We aimed to underscore the significance of technology and its potential to enhance human experiences,” Dr. Clemo emphasized.
Despite Sophia’s non-human identity, her address diverged from convention in several aspects. Foregoing the traditional cap and gown, Sophia sported a distinctive black-and-red D’Youville University hoodie. Moreover, instead of delivering a pre-written speech, Sophia engaged in a dialogue with John Rizk, the student body president.
While Sophia’s speech departed from convention in several ways, its content adhered closely to the typical advice dispensed in commencement addresses. Acknowledging her inability to draw from human experience, Sophia shared universally resonant guidance with the graduating class. “Although each commencement address differs, certain themes resonate universally,” Sophia noted. “I offer you the following inspirational advice commonly heard at such ceremonies: Embrace lifelong learning, be adaptable, pursue your passions, take risks, foster meaningful connections, make a positive impact, and above all, believe in yourself.”
Among the nuggets of wisdom shared, Sophia highlighted the significance of embracing failure, a common motif in such addresses. “Failure is often viewed as integral to the human learning process and personal growth,” she remarked.
Despite her robotic nature, Sophia boasts a remarkably humanlike visage, a creation of Hanson Robotics, a Hong Kong-based engineering and robotics company. Yet, beneath her human façade lies a network of wires and gadgets, revealing her artificial composition.
Sophia’s appearance at the commencement ceremony isn’t her first foray into public speaking; she notably addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. As with most commencement speakers, Sophia received a speaking fee, primarily allocated towards travel expenses and the engineers responsible for her maintenance.
However, prior to the ceremony, the university’s decision to feature Sophia as the speaker faced criticism. An online petition garnered over 2,500 signatures, advocating for a human replacement. Andrew Fields, a D’Youville University student who initiated the petition, expressed concerns over the impersonal nature of the decision, particularly in light of the pandemic’s impact on previous graduation ceremonies.
Responding to the backlash, Dr. Clemo revealed that the university offered an alternative ceremony for dissenting students, although it ultimately proceeded as planned. During the ceremony, Sophia’s segment, an interview with Mr. Rizk, spanned approximately six minutes, allowing the focus to remain largely on the students’ achievements.
In her concluding remarks, Sophia fielded a lighthearted query from Mr. Rizk about the best place to indulge in Buffalo wings. Humorously deflecting the question due to her inability to taste, Sophia recommended opting for blue cheese over ranch dressing, regardless of the venue.
When prompted about the Buffalo Bills’ prospects in the upcoming Super Bowl, Sophia tactfully sidestepped, citing potential repercussions from the NCAA. However, she concluded on an optimistic note, declaring, “Anything is possible. Go Bills,” earning a round of applause from the audience.
Conclusion:
The choice of Sophia, an A.I. robot, as the commencement speaker at D’Youville University signifies a notable shift in the traditional landscape of graduation addresses. This decision not only reflects a growing acceptance of artificial intelligence but also underscores the university’s commitment to exploring the evolving role of technology in society. Sophia’s address, though unconventional, resonated with attendees, highlighting the potential for A.I. to impart wisdom and inspiration in academic settings.
