Saudi Arabia robot. For the first time in history, a robot received citizenship. So why was she given civil rights?

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. “It’s a historic moment to be the first robot in the world to gain 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?

Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world to grant citizenship to a humanoid robot. This robot turned out to be the humanoid robot Sophia, which was created by Hanson Robotics.

Hanson Robotics is a Hong Kong company that creates human-like robots. They claim that soon their robots will live around us and interact with us. Robots will teach us, entertain us, serve us and satisfy all our needs and requests. Hanson Robotics believes that together, man and machine can create a better future.

Sophia the robot has said she will "destroy people" if creator David Hanson asks her to.

The event to grant the world's first citizenship to a robot took place in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.

In her speech to the assembled audience, humanoid robot Sophia said that she was very proud to be the first robot to receive citizenship. This is a historic event - the world's first citizenship for a robot.

At this event, Sofia also spoke in a special audience and answered questions from journalist Andrei Ross Sorkin. Basically, his questions concerned Sophia's status as a humanoid, and whether people could have a future in the age of robots and artificial intelligence.

Sorkin told Sofia that everyone wants to prevent a bad future. “You've read too many science fiction books and watched too many Hollywood movies,” Sofia told Sorkin. “Don’t worry, if you are good to me, then I will be good to you. Address me as a smart input/output system."

During Sophia's showcase at the 2016 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Sophia's creator and founder of Hanson Robotics, David Hanson, asked Sophia if she wanted to destroy humanity. He hoped to hear a negative answer. However, Sofia responded to this with a blank expression: “Okay, I will destroy people.”

However, in the meantime, Hanson himself convinced that Sophia and her future robot relatives would benefit humanity.

Canadian-American engineer and entrepreneur, Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that artificial intelligence could mean the end for all humanity. He also said that nuclear weapons are less dangerous compared to artificial intelligence. He warned that robots and artificial intelligence could cause a third world war.

Robot Sophia was given Saudi Arabian citizenship during the Future Investment Initiative economic conference in Riyadh. As photographs and videos of Sophia began to spread on the Internet, many began to wonder why the robot had already achieved greater rights than women in the country.

Sophia, created by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics, gave a talk to the audience in English without the headscarf or abaya that Saudi women are required to wear in public.

"It is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship." Please welcome the newest Saudi: Sophia. #FII2017 pic.twitter.com/bsv5LmKwlf

“I am very proud of this unique distinction. This is a historical fact, I am the first robot in the world to be granted citizenship,” said Sofia.

Sophia can animate a full range of facial expressions, recognize faces, and carry on a conversation. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative 2017, Sophia demonstrated her savvy response to a question about the threat of artificial intelligence. "You've read too much Elon Musk and watched too many Hollywood movies," she said. - Don't worry, if I like you, I'll be nice to you. Treat me like a smart input/output system.”

Saudi netizens responded positively to the event, using the hashtag “robot with Saudi citizenship.” Almost 30,000 messages appeared online in the first 24 hours of the announcement.

But other users were not so happy about the event. They introduced another hashtag - “Sofia calls for abandoning guardianship.” This hashtag has already been used more than 10,000 times. This is because under the Saudi guardianship system, every woman must be accompanied in public by a male companion, usually a family member who has the authority to act on the woman's behalf.

“Sofia doesn’t have a guardian and she doesn’t wear an abaya, how did this happen?” - one of the Twitter users commented on the situation.

In addition to comparing Sophia to Saudi women, people discussed the ease with which the robot gained citizenship.

This robot has acquired Saudi citizenship before kafala workers who have been living in the country their entire lives https://t.co/RRCMH2rtZ8

Journalist Murtaza Hussain wrote: “This robot received Saudi Arabian citizenship before kafala workers who lived their entire lives in this country did.”

Under Saudi Arabian law, foreign workers cannot leave the country without the employer's permission, and this is just one of the elements of the kafala system that limits the rights of foreign workers. The Gulf kingdom relies on hundreds of thousands of workers from abroad. There is a thriving black market in fugitive migrant workers who are unable to leave the country due to exit visa laws.

"A humanoid robot named Sophia has been granted Saudi Arabian citizenship while millions of people wait," said journalist Kareem Chahayeb.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to highlight a series of reforms being introduced by the authorities. For example, women were allowed to participate in the National Day of Saudi Arabia: in honor of the 87th anniversary of the founding of the kingdom, for the first time in all these years, women were allowed to come to the stadium where the festive events were held. And in September 2017, the ban on women was lifted.