Humanoid robotess Sofia, endowed with the technologies of artificial intelligence and developed by the Hong Kong company Hanston Robotics, was granted citizenship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She herself announced in the event "Future Investment Initiative"
The transmission of emotions is one of the most important features of Sofia. Android can make a sad grimace when displeased, or smile, demonstrating his benevolence and joy. The creators of Sofia programmed it in such a way that she could learn from the people who surround her. Therefore, expressing emotions and demonstrating kindness and compassion are just one example of the fact that a robot really wants to learn by observing its surroundings. In addition, Sophia can be called "the real soul of the company" - it is able to support intellectual conversations.
Unfortunately, more detailed information about what it means to receive Saudi citizenship by Sofia was not announced during the event, so it is not known whether the robot received some human rights along with it or the government is going to develop a separate system of rights specifically for robots . Nevertheless, the decision taken is a very symbolic step and in any case is at least aimed at attracting new investors to the sphere of development of new technologies of artificial intelligence and robotics.
Of course, the endowment of the Android with the citizenship of the Saudi Arabia caused a flurry of indignation among many Internet users, as well as residents of this country, who noticed that Sofia, represented as a woman, spoke at the event without a hijab and a male guardian. Recall that women of Saudi Arabia have no such rights.
"This robot obtained the citizenship of Saudi Arabia, and labor migrants who have lived all their lives in the country remain extremely disenfranchised," noted one journalist.
