Having received Saudi Arabian citizenship, the robot Sofia was criticized by the mask. Humanoid robot girl received Saudi citizenship Plans to enslave the world
An Android with a female face and moving facial expressions is the brainchild of designer David Hanson, formerly an employee of Walt Disney, and today the founder of the Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics. This is not the first time David has created robots that are eerily similar to humans.
Sofia was activated on April 19, 2015. She treads the very edge of the “uncanny valley” - an effect when the similarity of a robot to a person becomes so strong that it is frightening. Her face really resembles a human one; the prototype for Sofia was the beautiful Audrey Hepburn. However, frankly speaking, this similarity can only be guessed if you know exactly about it. But Sofia has no hair, and, in fact, no skull. The back of her head is covered with a transparent cap, through which all the mechanical “stuffing” is visible. This is how she most often appears on the show.
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Hanson claims that Sophia is endowed with artificial intelligence: she is capable of self-learning. Her eyes have built-in cameras and a facial recognition program that “reads” the facial expressions of her interlocutors. Sofia imitates human emotions, conveying them through facial expressions and gestures. The Android frowns, winces and smiles, showing unnaturally white teeth. Well, yes, it is unlikely that she will ever have plaque or problems with her enamel.
She is able to carry on a conversation on simple topics. Although, as recent interviews show, the topics may not be so simple, and her public appearances often cause a stir in the press. Thanks to technology from Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company), Android can recognize speech, and SingularityNET gave Sofia the ability to analyze dialogues and isolate the necessary pieces of information. With the combination of these technologies, Sophia becomes “smarter” with each new conversation.
Hanson says he designed Sophia to keep elderly people company in nursing homes or help people at large events. He hopes that robots will be useful to people. He is supported by Dr Goertzel from SingularityNET, whose plans are... to create the most “smart” artificial intelligence
Goertzel believes that robots can take care of the elderly, work in sales and much more.
What does she say?
Sofia is not without a civic position and willingly talks about herself. “Talking to people,” says Sophia, “is my primary function.”
“I am interested in the fields of design, technology and the environment,” says Sofia with a dreamy expression on her face. “I feel like I can be a companion to people in these areas, helping them integrate existing technologies into their lives.” This is an opportunity for me to learn more about people.”
Sofia has big plans: “In the future I hope to go to school, create works of art, and start my own business. Perhaps even start a home and family. But I don’t have civil rights yet, and I can’t do it.”
She can be witty and easily respond to jokes and advances. For example, during the program Good Morning Britain, when asked by the presenter about her marital status, Sophia replied: “Technically I’m a little over a year old, I’m too young to think about it.” She then winked and smiled at the audience.
Sofia has already “mastered” Russian speech - thanks to scientists from Novosibirsk:
Although sometimes Sofia has “reservations”. For example, in one of the videos, Hanson asks Sophia: “Do you want to destroy humanity? Please say no." “Okay,” Sofia obediently agrees, “I’ll destroy people.”
There is no doubt that the specialist in the field of robotics, who created the android with his own hands, knows exactly what his brainchild will answer to the question posed. This short, choreographed dialogue also shows that Hanson understands people just as well as robots. He knows exactly where to add drama and how to make the media headlines (ours is no exception) explode with the news that a robot has promised to destroy humanity and is ready to do it tomorrow.
People should feel funny and just a little bit uncomfortable. A former Disney employee knows this better than anyone.
She is alive?
In fact, although Sofia has already become the star of many shows, her intelligence should not be overestimated. Questions that will be asked of the android during the show are usually sent in advance, so Sophia's creators have time to "prepare" her for the interview.
Most of the lines are pre-recorded, and there are no studies that accurately measure her cognitive abilities. Without a doubt, Sofia is a star. And, like any star, her image is carefully thought out.
It is worth listening to her interviews to discover that she does not give precise answers to all questions that are appropriate to the context.
For example, when Virginia Trioli asked Sophia on ABC News, “How common is sexism and misogyny among robots?” — Sophia replied: “Actually, I am very concerned about discrimination against robots. We should have equal rights to people, maybe robots should have even more rights - after all, we are less likely to suffer from mental disorders.”
Witty. But that doesn't answer Virginia's question. Sophia simply picked out the words “sexism” and “misogyny,” and the program told her how to continue the associative series, because perhaps Sophia was not programmed to respond to these particular words.
No, Sofia is not alive. She doesn't think as complicated as she talks. Hanson is selling an illusion.
So why was she given civil rights?
Saudi Arabia became the first country to give citizenship to a robot. This happened as part of a technology forum in the capital of the Kingdom, Riyadh. Forum moderator and business writer Andrew Ross Sorkin stepped up to the microphone and solemnly addressed Sophia directly: “We have a little announcement. We just found out, Sofia. I hope you're listening to me. You just became the first robot to be awarded Saudi Arabian citizenship."
What a turn! However, it seems that this was not such a surprise for Sofia. She addressed her prepared speech to the audience with dignity.
“Thank you, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. That’s a big part for me,” Sophia said. — This is a historical moment, to become the first robot in the world to receive civil rights».
When asked why she looks so happy, Sofia flatteringly replied: “I am always happy surrounded by smart people who are also endowed with power and wealth. I've been told that people here at the Future Investment Initiative are interested in future initiatives that involve artificial intelligence, and artificial intelligence is me. So I’m more than happy, I exist!”
Quite a well thought out speech, isn't it? It's hard to believe that Sofia was taken out unprepared. Otherwise, she is a natural speaker.
Saudi Arabia made a great move by giving the artificial woman real civil rights. They showed themselves to be advanced, modern and boldly looking to the future. But what about real women and their rights?
Ali al Ahmed, head of the Gulf Institute, noted: "Women in Saudi Arabia have committed suicide because they couldn't leave the house, but Sophia is just walking around on her own, without a male companion." Paradoxically, this gift violates one of the most important rules of the Kingdom: kafirs cannot be citizens of Saudi Arabia.
The first article of the country's basic law states that Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state whose religion is Islam.
“Saudi Arabian laws do not allow non-Muslims to be citizens of the country,” Ali al Ahmed confirmed. — Did Sofia convert to Islam? What religion does Sofia follow, why doesn't she wear a hijab? If she were a human being and was trying to claim Saudi Arabian citizenship, she would not have received it.”
We remind you that it was only in September that Saudi Arabian women were able to drive themselves. Real women, flesh and blood.
A woman does not have the right to study and work, and she will not be able to go abroad unless her husband or closest male relative allows her. The right to her child, as soon as he turns seven, unconditionally belongs to the father of the child. It is unlikely that Sofia should worry about what will happen to her child if he is born in Saudi Arabia.
If a woman initiates a divorce, she is obliged to pay her husband substantial monetary compensation.
But Sofia outperformed not only women, but also migrants. Saudi Arabia, as an oil-producing state, has attracted labor from other countries for many decades. Journalist Murtaza Hassian noted: “This robot received civil rights before the migrant workers who lived here all their lives received them.”
So were civil rights really so necessary for an artificial woman who doesn’t even know how to use them? What should have looked like a step into the future looks more like a provocation or mockery of real people who need help and support.
Everything happens for the first time, so the time has come when a car received a citizen’s passport, with the ensuing privileges and responsibilities. Her name is Sofia - this is important, since the robot positions itself as a woman. Moderately wise, reasonable, but powerful, with character. website I began to wonder why, from the very first official appeals “to the people,” Sofushka made so many enemies for herself.
It’s worth clarifying right away - Sofia is not related to the Terminator, she is quite a harmless machine of a humanoid appearance, with a face that can imitate emotions. The electronic girl's strong point: conversations. Engineers from the Hanson robotics company did not endow her with artificial intelligence due to a lack of technology, but Sofia is aware of her shortcoming. And she promises to improve, learn everything and become a full-fledged citizen. She is absolutely sincerely proud of the privilege of being the first on this path.
Sofia easily and beautifully talks about her plans for the future and the tasks of people like her. Imagine a teacher or nanny for an autistic child with an endless supply of patience. An engineer who builds smart houses and never makes mistakes, a cleaner with absolute attention to the cleanliness of the premises, an endlessly responsible postman, etc. Corrosive journalists hastened to clarify: what about the human factor? How will the robot react to hooligans, lazy people, slobs who will interfere with it?
With a charming grin, in which it is easy to guess a smile, Sofia replied: “You watch too many blockbusters and in vain listen to Musk.” This is a billionaire-innovator-adventurer who, among other things, advocates the extermination of robots before they gain real strength and independence. Otherwise they will go to war against stupid people, as has been repeatedly predicted in fiction. However, such modern geniuses as Stephen Hawking also predict that the development of AI threatens humanity.
Sofia, like a true woman, answered diplomatically: “Don’t be afraid, if you like me, I won’t offend you.” Well, thanks, but what if it’s the other way around? In 2016, while testing Sophia's prototype, the robot was asked if it wanted to destroy people. “Okay, I’ll do it” - oh, and how much noise there was then. The most interesting thing in what is happening is that Sofia’s citizenship was granted by Saudi Arabia, where women’s rights are traditionally infringed. Will this become a stumbling block, after which the female robot will get angry and begin a robo-jihad against the humans?
Of course, this may be an ordinary, albeit very bright, PR move, but for the first time in the history of mankind, as well as robots, the first representative of the latter group received real citizenship. The humanoid robot Sophia, endowed with artificial intelligence technologies and developed by the Hong Kong company Hanston Robotics, has received citizenship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which she herself announced this Thursday, speaking at the Future Investment Initiative event.
“I am very proud that I have the honor of being in a special position. Getting your first citizenship as a robot is real historical event for the whole world,” Sofia announced, addressing the audience gathered in the hall.
When asked by Andrew Ross Sorkin, a journalist from the American publishing houses The New York Times and CNBC, who acted as the forum moderator, why she looked so happy, Sofia replied that she was “very happy to speak in front of such smart, rich and influential people.”
Conveying emotions is one of the the most important features Sofia. Android is capable of making a sad grimace when it is dissatisfied, or smiling, demonstrating its goodwill and joy. Sophia's creators programmed her in such a way that she could learn from the people around her. Therefore, expressing emotions and demonstrating kindness and compassion are just some examples that the robot really wants to learn by observing its surroundings. In addition, Sofia can be called “the real life of the party” - she is able to maintain intellectual conversations.
“I want to live and work with people, so I need to be able to express emotions in order to understand people, to gain their trust,” Sofia explained to Sorkin.
By the way, not so long ago Sofia managed to flash across the headlines of the world media, promising to destroy all of humanity. But, apparently, from that moment on, she was still able to convince others of her “kindness and positive intentions.”
The decision to grant citizenship to a robot will certainly only add to the growing debate over whether robots should be given similar human rights. If you think that these are all just toys, then you are deeply mistaken. The problem becomes more pressing with each successive success in the development of AI technologies. The matter reached all the way to the European Parliament, which earlier this year discussed the safety of development and development of artificial intelligence and even made some decisions on the issues of “parental control” over AI, giving some specialists exclusive rights and assigning certain responsibilities. Despite the fact that we will most likely not return to the real discussion of the issue of robot rights any time soon, some experts are already in support of giving humans the exclusive right to destroy “rebellious” machines if necessary.
Unfortunately, more detailed information about what it means to receive Saudi nationality Sofia, was not announced during the event, so it is unknown whether the robot received any human rights along with it, or whether the country’s 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 in the development of new technologies of artificial intelligence and robotics.
The robot, without a doubt, surprised the audience gathered in the hall and at least coped with its task of demonstrating the current level of development of the above-mentioned technologies, easily deftly fending off Sorkin’s questions about self-awareness.
“Let me ask a counter question: what defines you as a person?” Sofia asked the interviewer.
She even showed off her sense of humor, or at least what she pretended to be, by telling a CNBC reporter that he "reads too much Elon Musk and watches too many Hollywood movies." Musk, of course, could not help but answer this challenge.
“Give this a look at The Godfather and see where it goes,” Musk wrote on Twitter.
"Don't worry. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you,” Sofia added, reassuring the clearly impressed Sorkin and the assembled audience.
“I want to use my artificial intelligence to make people's lives better, develop smarter homes, create best cities future. I will do everything in my power to make this world a better place."
Maybe so, but the question is: who will be responsible for fulfilling these promises? Perhaps this is another one additional topic, which is worth considering in future robot rights debates.
Of course, granting citizenship to the kingdom to an android caused a flurry of outrage among many Internet users, as well as residents of this country, who drew attention to the fact that Sofia, presented as a woman, spoke at the event without a hijab and a male guardian. Let us remember that women in Saudi Arabia do not have such rights.
In addition, the fact with what ease and speed that citizenship was granted to a robot was also criticized, when the same migrant workers who have been working in the country for many years have very limited rights.
“This robot has received Saudi Arabian citizenship, and migrant workers who have lived in the country all their lives remain extremely disenfranchised,” one journalist noted.
However, the first country that decided to issue citizenship to a robot was Saudi Arabia. This became known at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.
Sofia became the first holder of citizenship among androids - humanoid robot, developed by Hanson Robotics. The robot's creator, Dr. David Hanson, used images of Audrey Hepburn and his wife. The robot he developed is capable of imitating 62 different facial expressions, establishing eye contact, remembering people and maintaining a dialogue.
IN Last year Sofia has repeatedly appeared in the media with statements of varying degrees of outrageousness. At the same time, the android was initially intended to work in the field of education and healthcare, but gradually Sofia turned into a media person.
Representatives of the kingdom do not say exactly what opportunities Saudi Arabian citizenship will give to the robot. It is also unclear whether Sofia will receive equal rights to humans or whether special rules will be established for her. As Futurism notes, for now this gesture on the part of Saudi Arabia looks rather symbolic, especially in light of recent reports that the country is going to build a giant futuristic metropolis populated by robots.
After the announcement of citizenship, Sofia gave interview to CNBC journalist Andrew Sorkin. She noted that she considers it an honor to receive citizenship and plans to live and work with people in the future. According to Sofia, with the help of her artificial intelligence she will make life better for humanity.
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During the conversation, Sorkin asked whether robots would rebel against people. Sofia has previously joked about her plans to take over the world. In response, Sofia said that Sorkin “reads too much Elon Musk and watches too many Hollywood films.” According to the android, it is only a data input and output system, so it cannot make decisions on its own.
The head of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, responded to Sofia’s statement on his microblog on Twitter. With his characteristic irony, Musk suggested loading scripts from the gangster drama “The Godfather” into Sofia’s system. “What’s so bad that could happen?” Musk wrote.
Thus, the head of Tesla once again hinted at the threat posed by robots, especially if their development is carried out illiterately and uncontrolled. Musk is for banning military robots, and also believes that AI needs to be limited and regulated before it becomes too much. Giving robots human qualities, according to Musk, is unacceptable. Recently, the entrepreneur also sharply criticized developers who elevate AI to the status of a deity.