When Sophia the Robot was first unveiled in 2016, it didn’t take long for this social humanoid to become a global sensation. Developed by Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics, she captured the attention of millions of curious people with her razor-sharp wit and deadpan humor. From her cover in ELLE magazine to being an innovation ambassador for the UN, Sophia cemented her place in the public consciousness. But have you ever wondered who brought this groundbreaking AI to life?

Former Hanson Robotics CEO Jeanne Lim was instrumental in developing and shaping Sophia’s persona. In this episode, Jeanne shares what went into building Sophia’s character, how people first reacted to this artificial intelligence and how Jeanne’s own unconventional path to a career in tech led to working with AI beings.

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