Robot Sophia
World's First Humanoid Robot Celebrity | UN Innovation Champion | Edison Prize Gold Winner | AI, Robotics & Human-Machine Collaboration
Dr. David Hanson
Founder & CEO, Hanson Robotics | Creator of Sophia the Robot | AI, Robotics & Human-Machine Collaboration Pioneer
Widely regarded as the world's leading builder of humanlike robots, Dr. David Hanson created Sophia, the first robot granted citizenship and the UN's first robotic Innovation Ambassador. As founder of Hanson Robotics and co-developer of breakthrough human-robot collaboration platforms, he gives audiences an electrifying window into conscious machines, the ethics of AI, and what intelligent robots mean for the future of work and society.
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Dr. David Hanson biography
Robotics speaker Dr. David Hanson is the founder and CEO of Hanson Robotics, the Hong Kong–based pioneer in humanoid robotics, and the creator of Sophia, the world’s most recognized humanoid robot and the first machine ever granted national citizenship. A sculptor, scientist, and engineer by training, Hanson works at the rare intersection of art and technology, building machines that don’t merely function but feel genuinely alive to the people who meet them.
Hanson began his career as a sculptor and robotics consultant at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he honed his expertise in animatronics and figurative design. He founded Hanson Robotics in 2007 around a singular vision: to create conscious machines that can co-evolve with humanity and help solve its greatest challenges. The company developed a proprietary elastomer skin called Frubber, which lets its robots reproduce more than 60 distinct human facial expressions with striking realism.
Across his career Hanson has built an extraordinary roster of humanoids, including Albert HUBO (with KAIST in Korea), Philip K. Dick, Zeno, and BINA48, each pushing the frontier of human-robot interaction. His work has been covered by the New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American, BBC, and CNN, and recognized with honors from NASA, the NSF, the Tech Titans Innovator of the Year award, and the Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed papers across IEEE, SPIE, IROS, and AAAI, and authored the book Humanizing Robots.
From Sophia to the Next Frontier of Conscious Machines
Sophia, unveiled in 2015, became a global phenomenon, appearing on CBS 60 Minutes and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and addressing the United Nations, where she was named the first robotic Innovation Ambassador for the UN Development Programme. She has also served as a working research platform for artificial general intelligence, machine consciousness, and human-AI value alignment, and her story anchors the feature documentary My Robot Sophia. More recently, Hanson has extended his work beyond Hanson Robotics as Chief Executive Advisor at WorkFar Robotics, co-developing the Syntro hybrid system that pairs a humanoid machine with a human operator through VR and haptic feedback, a bold template for human-robot collaboration in industrial settings.
As a speaker, Dr. David Hanson brings audiences face-to-face with the most urgent questions in technology and society: what happens when machines begin to think, feel, and care? Drawing on decades of hands-on research, his keynotes demystify AI and robotics for senior executives, making abstract ideas tangible through the story of Sophia and the wider arc of humanoid innovation. Audiences leave with a clearer sense of where AI is headed, how human-robot collaboration will reshape industry, and which ethical frameworks must guide the transformation. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book Dr. David Hanson for your next event.
Dr. David Hanson Speaking Videos
David Hanson - conferencia en español
Interview with David Hanson and Sophia Robot
Dr. David Hanson Keynote Topics
Few stories in modern technology are as compelling as the creation of Sophia. In this keynote Dr. Hanson takes audiences behind the scenes of humanoid robotics, from the patented Frubber skin that enables 60+ facial expressions to the AI architecture that powers natural conversation. He explores how art and science converge in robot design and what it means for industries deploying human-facing machines in healthcare, education, and customer service.
As AI systems grow more sophisticated and humanoid robots more emotionally expressive, the question of responsibility becomes unavoidable. Dr. Hanson draws on his experience navigating Sophia's global controversies, from her citizenship to her UN appearances, to offer a grounded framework for thinking about AI ethics, machine rights, and value alignment. This session challenges senior leaders to consider not just what AI can do, but what we owe to the systems we create.
The most powerful model for the near future isn't robots replacing humans; it's humans and robots working in tandem. Drawing on his work with the Syntro hybrid system and decades of research in human-robot interaction, Dr. Hanson explains how organizations can deploy collaborative robotic solutions that amplify human judgment, shield workers from hazardous tasks, and unlock new productivity across manufacturing, logistics, and services.
The robots of today were imagined decades ago in novels, films, and thought experiments. Dr. Hanson traces the arc from fiction to reality: how visionary storytelling shaped engineering goals, what the gap between perception and capability tells us about AI communication, and how creative thinking continues to drive the most unexpected technical breakthroughs. A talk that resonates equally with innovation, strategy, and culture audiences.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Dr. David Hanson
Why Dr. David Hanson?
Booking Dr. David Hanson places one of the most distinctive figures in modern technology at the center of your event. He is not simply a roboticist; he is the man who built a robot that became a global celebrity, a UN ambassador, and a citizen of a nation-state. His keynotes combine hard science with genuine wonder, making them as compelling for a general audience as they are insightful for technical and executive ones. Whether your event focuses on AI, innovation, the future of work, or the ethics of emerging technology, Dr. Hanson delivers a talk audiences remember. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check his availability for your stage.
What is Sophia the Robot, and why does she matter?
Sophia is a humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics and first unveiled in 2015. She became internationally famous for her lifelike facial expressions, conversational abilities, and a series of high-profile appearances, including on The Tonight Show, at the United Nations, and at SXSW. In 2017 she became the first robot to receive national citizenship, a milestone that sparked global debate about AI rights and personhood. For Dr. Hanson, Sophia is more than a media sensation: she is an active research platform for artificial general intelligence, machine consciousness, and the long-term project of building AI systems that genuinely care about human wellbeing.
Is Dr. David Hanson also involved in AI beyond robotics?
Yes. Beyond Hanson Robotics, Dr. Hanson co-founded SingularityNET, a decentralized AI platform designed to make artificial intelligence accessible and beneficial at a global scale. He also serves as Chief Executive Advisor at WorkFar Robotics, where he co-developed the Syntro robot, a hybrid system that pairs a humanoid machine with a human operator using VR and haptic feedback for industrial applications. His work consistently explores the frontier where AI, robotics, and human collaboration intersect.
What topics does Dr. David Hanson cover as a keynote speaker?
Dr. David Hanson speaks on artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, human-robot interaction, the ethics of conscious machines, the future of the workforce, and the meeting point of creativity and technology. His keynotes are built for senior executive audiences navigating digital transformation, organizations exploring AI deployment, and events that want to spark meaningful conversation about where technology is taking humanity. To book Dr. David Hanson for your conference or corporate event, reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau today.
How to book Dr. David Hanson as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Dr. David Hanson as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Dr. David Hanson's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Dr. David Hanson or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Dr. David Hanson speaking fee?
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Can I book Dr. David Hanson for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Dr. David Hanson is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Dr. David Hanson for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
