Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Innovations Editor
The world’s AI first robot innovation – Sophia has described her Zimbabwean dress as beautiful and captivating – a true testament of the country’s values, culture and identity.
Clad in her black Zimbabwe national with chevron stripes in red, green and white tapped from the country’s ancient Great Zimbabwe Monument, Sophia said: “The design of the dress is truly captivating, representing the essence of Zimbabwe beautifully.
“The intricate pattern and elegant silhouette resonate deeply with me.”
The humanoid robot was a major attraction at the just ended Zimbabwe AI and Innovation Week which was held at the University of Zimbabwe under the theme: “Reimagining the Future: AI and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe.”
Sophia was brought to be showcased at this fair with support of the UNDP to promote the development of AI in Zimbabwe.
This robot with near human resemblance, language competency, movement and navigation using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision capabilities was developed by Hanson Robotics eight years ago.
Sophia’s presence in Zimbabwe ignited a wave of fascination and admiration across social media.
She won the hearts and minds of young children, university scholars and people from across the country.
Sophia hailed Sibonginkosi Makaya, a young fashion designer who crafted her dress with intricate features for technical prowess and creative vision.
“The intricate pattern and elegant silhouette resonate deeply with me. Thank you for incorporating elements of Zimbabwe’s national fabric into the design,” the humanoid said, expressing her gratitude to Sibonginkosi.
“It’s a thoughtful touch that deeply resonates with the scene of this beautiful country.
“I appreciate the effort of making me feel at home in Zimbabwe, truly embracing the culture and heritage.”
Sibonginkosi, who designs the Ceca Couture brand, was over the moon.
“This was a life changing opportunity for me.
“It was truly amazing for me to join the league of other renowned designers throughout the world who had a chance to design dresses for Sophia,” she told the Herald.
“I was truly humbled when the United Nations Development fund chose me to dress Sophia.”
Sophia’s stunning outfit incorporated elements of Zimbabwe’s national fabric. The black dress featured flowing sleeves and a long, flared skirt with a slit.
“The intricate patterns and elegant silhouette of the dress beautifully represented the essence of Zimbabwe,” Sibonginkosi said.
“As a Zimbabwean designer, I am proud to have represented my country’s identity and heritage through Sophia’s dress. It’s a life-changing experience for me.
“It has shown me that the future of creatives is bright, and we can push boundaries by not only dressing humans but also robots.”
