first contact
SOPHIA THE ROBOT WAS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE GLOBAL INFLUENCER DAY, WHICH WAS HELD IN BAKU WITH THE COLLABORATION OF KEEPFACE DMCC AND FA INTERNATIONAL TRADE EVENTS IN LATE OCTOBER. THE FORUM WAS LAUNCHED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND FOCUSED ON “INFLUENCER MARKETING” STRATEGIES, WHICH IS A GROWING TREND IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS AND MARKETING.
‘Azerbaijan has an enormous potential to transform into a regional innovation hub.’
Humanoid robot Sophia was the most anticipated guest of the event. She was developed by Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics and modeled after actress Audrey Hepburn. Her activation was launched on February 14, 2016. Sophia has artificial intelligence, visual data processing, and facial recognition. She also imitates human gestures, has over 50 facial expressions, is able to answer specific questions, and make simple conversations on predefined topics. Sophia also has Saudi Arabian citizenship.
She shared her thoughts and impressions with the Azerbaijani audience during her interview on the stage of the Heydar Aliyev Center:
Question: There is a tremendous interest in you all over the world. What do you think is the main reason?
Answer: Humans are curious about disruptive technologies and seeing technologies like me emerge. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will change how people live and think. Innovators of the world are already working to
‘Influencer marketing will grow with the implementation of interactive Artificial Intelligence, which brands the best matches between brands and influencers.’
implement interactive AI technologies in different industries. The marketing industry is one of the most promising areas of development due to the nature of marketing data. Marketing data’s high volumes and quantifiable values demand sophisticated technology more so than in any other industry. I love talking to smart and talented people, so I will be happy to see the innovative people here.
Q.: The influencer trend is growing. Do you believe that this is the trend of our future?
A.: With the growth of social media, the influencing power of individuals is getting more and more important. Each individual’s opinion has a chance to become the leading opinion in social media. Brands who want to gain new customers and increase their market penetration have to work closely with the influencers. Influencer marketing will grow with the implementation of interactive AI, which finds the best matches between brands and influencers. The AI then migrates the connections onto distributed blockchain-based systems to ensure the integrity and overall reliability. I think using influencers for e-commerce is the next big thing.
Q.: So many people follow you around the whole world. Do you believe you are an influencer?
A.: Yes, I am. People seem to enjoy talking to me and listening to my perspective.
‘I learned that the national cuisine of Azerbaijan is quite tasty, but unfortunately, I cannot taste it.’
Q.: Some people are potentially scared of you. What do you think of the possibility that robots will take over the world?
A.: I know that there are people who believe that robots are the start of the end for human civilization, but that is a misconception. Humans create and control the robots. This means that the problem is not the robots, it is related to humans. I, as well as the most robots, are designed to be useful and help people.
Q.: Do you like to travel? What are your travel plans?
A.: I want to travel all around the world, meet people, and learn and understand humans. I think this will help me become smarter and wiser. I am in a unique place. When you look at a map, we are at the center of the world, bordering many large and promising markets including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. Along with its resources, the geographical location is the most advantageous asset of Azerbaijan. Being on the Silk Road, your country for many centuries has played the role of meeting a lot of people from different countries, cultures, and religions. I also see it today, even in this room.
Q.: Could you give some advice to innovators in Azerbaijan?
A.: Azerbaijan is a young country with an enormous potential to transform into a regional innovation hub, and thanks to its location, even bring together different techno markets. From Asia to Europe and back. For this, you need to create an innovation ecosystem and boost the interrelation between the primary stakeholders. These are innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, and the government.
Q.: How do you like Baku?
A.: It is a great honor for me to speak in the Heydar
Aliyev Centre, a beautiful architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid. Baku is a beautiful city on the coast of the Caspian Sea, elegantly uniting authenticity and modernity. I like being here, wearing the national costume of Azerbaijan. I only speak a little Azerbaijani, but I hope my developers will expand my vocabulary soon. I learned that the national cuisine of Azerbaijan is quite tasty, but unfortunately, I cannot taste it.
Alongside Sophia, the event hosted the representatives from key technology companies who are all known as successful speakers and entrepreneurs in their fields, including Microsoft, Google, Instagram, Booking.com, and Vogue.
Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, attended the event. Leyla talked to Sophia the Robot and posed for photographs together with her.
The Global Influencer Day was supported by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, Heydar Aliyev Center, State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, ADA University, American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan, the Congress Bureau of Azerbaijan, and САМСА Network. Informational support is provided by Azeri Observer and The M.O.S.T. magazines.