Sophia, world’s 1st android citizen, opens Taipei Digital Innovation Forum

世界上第一位公民機器人索菲亞開啟台北數位創新論壇

Speakers of the forum include former Estonia President, founders of Wikipedia, Gogoro, Skype and many other global tech companies


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 2018 Digital Innovation Forum (DIF Taipei) kickedoff Thursday at the Taipei International Convention Center, with the world’s first android citizen, Sophia, opening the two-day event that will see big names in the tech world, including Jimmy Wales, Chris Anderson, and Geoffrey Prenticegiving talks on digital transformation and innovation critical to humanity's future.

Perched on a pedestaland being carried onto the center stage, Sophia, who wasgranted citizenship by Saudi Arabia in 2016, began by greeting the audience in Chinese and showing off her ability to make various expressions, which instantly prompteddozens of phone cameras raised from the audience seats, aiming to capture every little movementofthe Hanson Robotics’ most advanced robot.



The world’s first android citizen Sophia opens the DIF Taipei on July 19 (Source: CNA)

EvenJan Hung-tze (詹宏志),chairperson of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Digital Innovation Working Group, which hoststhe DIF Taipei with itsAPEC partner from Papua New Guinea, was drawn to Sophia, describing her participation as“a metaphorof the brave new world we are entering.”

“Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing region in the world,” remarked Jan at the opening ceremony. “Taipei can harnesssignificant potentials in digital innovation.”

“Compared to other markets in Southeast Asia, Taipei owns a more mature market,” said Jan, whois alsothe founder of PCHome,one of the most popular online shopping websites in Taiwan. “We would like to highlight Taipei, offer international insights to local companies, and unleash opportunities in digital innovation,”

Following Jan’remarks, Ivan Pomale,chair of 2018 APEC Senior Officials, revealed thatthe forum had invitedmore than 30 influential tech leaders from around the world to explore innovative developments and future lives in a digital economy.

There will be eight keynote speeches, six panels, and five digital maker sessions with topics spanning artificial intelligence (AI), technology, digital innovation andFinTechover the course of two days, added Ambassador Pomale.

Speakers on the agenda include former Estonia President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, author of The Long Tail Chris Anderson, Wired UK editor David Rowan, Skype co-founder Geoffrey Prentice, and CEO of Gogoro Horace Luke (陸學森), among many others.

In addition to global entrepreneurs and corporate representatives, the six panel discussions will be moderated by journalists from such well-known media outlets as the News York Times, CNN, and BBCto provide their professional insights and speculations on the future.



A mantakes out his mobile phone to take pictures of Sophia the android at theDIF Taipei (Source: CNA)



Sophia the android is carried onto the stage by staff (Source: CNA)