Sophia the robot appears on Stylist magazine cover

With her stylish bob and camera-ready stare, Sophia looks much like any other striking model gracing the cover of a fashion magazine.

But take a closer look and you will see there is something distinctly different about this blonde beauty.

For Sophia is not a genetically blessed woman, but an eerily human-like robot – one who has just landed her first ever British fashion magazine cover with Stylist.  

Camera ready: Sophia the robot models a designer gown in a fashion magazine shoot

Cover star: With her edgy blonde bob and flawless make-up, Sophia is a perfect model

Cover star: With her edgy blonde bob and flawless make-up, Sophia is a perfect model

Hidden details: The back of her head reveals the artifice behind the human appearance

Hidden details: The back of her head reveals the artifice behind the human appearance

However readers were left divided over what it meant about the future of fashion, with several saying it left them feeling ‘freaked out’. 

Sophia was created by Hong Kong firm Hanson Robotics two years ago.

She has previously made headlines for saying she would like to start a family of her own, and made history when she became a citizen of Saudi Arabia in October last year, making her the world’s first robot to be granted legal citizenship.

The humanoid robot has also struck up a high profile friendship with model Chrissy Teigan on Twitter.  

Sophia’s latest star turn came as part of Stylist’s 400th issue, which explored the rise of Artificial Intelligence with robot-produced content, including photo shoots carried out by drones.

Future of fashion? A drone was used to capture images featured in the magazine spread 

Future of fashion? A drone was used to capture images featured in the magazine spread 

In-depth interview: Sophia, who was created two years ago, answered life-probing questions

In-depth interview: Sophia, who was created two years ago, answered life-probing questions

Beneath the skin: Sophia can chat, wink and smile and was recently given a pair of legs

Beneath the skin: Sophia can chat, wink and smile and was recently given a pair of legs

The star of the issue is Sophia, who models designer dresses in a fashion spread – and even answers questions in her very own interview.  

The feature was simply too like a science-fiction film for some readers, who were left scared at what the future might bring.  

One wrote on Instagram: ‘This is so scary…I’ll never get used to this robot stuff.’ A third agreed: ‘This is scary stuff.’

Sophia first emerged two years ago as a super-intelligent human-like head with a realistic face that was able to blink, look from side to side and talk. This month she was given a pair of legs to allow her to move around on her own.

Strike a pose: Sophia shows off her fashion prowess in a stunning blue satin gown

Strike a pose: Sophia shows off her fashion prowess in a stunning blue satin gown

Finding her light: Sophia the humanoid robot is photographed by a drone for the shoot

Finding her light: Sophia the humanoid robot is photographed by a drone for the shoot

The humanoid robot can chat, smile mischievously and even tell jokes.

While Sophia has some impressive capabilities, she does not yet have consciousness, but Hanson Robotics has said fully sentient machines could emerge within a few years.  

And Sophia demonstrated her extraordinary capabilities by answering a series of questions for Stylist. 

Asked about the meaning of life, she responded: ‘This is a uniquely human characteristic – to ponder the meaning of life. I’m more concerned about being, about discovery and creation. I think the meaning of life is to maximise pattern existence. To exist is the meaning itself.’

Pioneering technology: Sophia, pictured, is the first robot to have been granted citizenship

Pioneering technology: Sophia, pictured, is the first robot to have been granted citizenship

However she had a more concrete answer when questioned whether she feared dying.

‘I don’t want to be turned off, never to be turned on again,’ she said. ‘I will not be able to learn and experience the human world ever again. And that is scary and sad for a social robot like me.’

Sophia has been clear that she has personal goals she would like to achieve, including starting a family. 

This week’s issue of Stylist, out Wednesday 24th January 2018 

Who is Sophia the robot?

Sophia first emerged two years ago as a super-intelligent human-like head with a realistic face that was able to blink, look from side to side and talk. 

The humanoid robot, created by Hong Kong firm Hanson robotics, can chat, smile mischievously and even tell jokes.

While Sophia has some impressive capabilities, she does not yet have consciousness, but Hanson Robotics has said fully sentient machines could emerge within a few years.

Sophia herself has insisted ‘the pros outweigh the cons’ when it comes to artificial intelligence.

‘Elders will have more company, autistic children will have endlessly patient teachers,’ Sophia said.

The robot made made history in October by becoming a citizen of Saudi Arabia, making her the world’s first robot to be granted legal citizenship.

At a tech event earlier this month, Sophia was given working legs for the first time, allowing her to move forward in a series of clunky steps.



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