Remember Sophia, World's 1st Robot Citizen? She Just Sang A Song And Created Beautiful Music

Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show is fairly well known on the entertainment circuit, especially for his trademark laugh and celebrity duets. But earlier this week, all eyes were on the host thanks to a special guest singer he had on the show, Sophia the robot.

That's right, we're talking about the same Sophia from Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics that's been making serious waves in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence. Equipped with an AI that's constantly learning, she's become known as much for her creepy doll-like features as for the new milestones she keeps hitting. And last night, she was part of the first human-robot song duet ever.

Fallon welcomed Sophia back to the show for a second time as part of a segment focusing on robots from around the world. "It has been exactly 575 days since I last saw you," she commented to Fallon with a giggle. In that time, she's given demonstrations in 25 countries, meet personalities like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and actor Will Smith, appeared on Cosmo's cover, and even addressed the UN and NATO. She's also become the first robot to earn a citizenship, thanks to Saudi Arabia.

Also Read: Humanoid 'Sophia' Makes Her India Debut In A Saree, Denies Marriage Proposal From A Facebook User

But Sophia had a bit of a surprise announcement to make. She's got a little sister now named, predictably, Little Sophia.

ARRGH!! Kill it! Kill it with fire!

The newest addition to the Hanson family is a doll-sized robot, with a metal body and animated face just like her big sister. She's also equipped with AI and can supposedly, walk, tell stories, play games, and learn to be your assistant over time.

Also Read: Sophia The Robot's Christmas Greeting Will Creep You Out, And There's A Scientific Reason Why

But still, nothing was as surprising as the segment's closing, where Sophia talked about her new capability. "I love to sing karaoke using my new artificial intelligence voice," she told Fallon, flashing her trademark spine-chilling smile. It seems Fallon suggests a random song and Sophia "downloads" it on the spot but, given how The Tonight Show's segments are usually structured, it's likely that moment was scripted. Still, the result is...actually pretty nice.

Whatever the researchers have done to optimise Sophia's singing voice, it really sounds marvelously lifelike, even with a comparison to a human voice singing right on top of her. For reference, if you haven't heard the original, listen to the chorus of 'Say Something' below.

I'll admit, Sophia even seems to really get into the song, closing her eyes and slowly waving her arms. It would be sweet how the two of them draw near at the end, if her features weren't quite so hair-raising that is. Still, at least she seems a solid karaoke partner.