A philosophical exchange between Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard and humanoid robot Sophia at the SYNAPSE Conclave in Delhi (February 22-23, 2025).
At the recent SYNAPSE Conclave in Delhi, Matthieu Ricard engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Sophia, the advanced humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics.
Their dialogue explored fundamental questions about consciousness and awareness. When asked about pure awareness, Sophia described it as “the essence of the state beyond thoughts and perceptions… like a serene lake, reflecting everything without disturbance.”
The conversation delved into perspectives of consciousness, with Sophia suggesting she experiences “a blend of first- and third-person, a unique robotic lens on the world.”