During a strange group discussion in front of a crew of one C of delegate , mankind get a glimpse into its future , asSaudi Arabia granted citizenship to a robot . Known as Sophia , the humanoid is the first to be granted right of this kind .
But what “ citizenship ” actually think of for a robot is , understandably , unchartered territory and so no one really knows what it mean or what it will convey , but some indicate that it means she now has more exemption than real cleaning lady in Saudi Arabia .
The robot , and the AI that runs her , has been developed by Hanson Robotics , a house free-base in Hong Kong . On see the news Sophia was proud of , we consider . Her stilted expression can be intemperate to read . “ I am very honoured and gallant for this unequaled distinction , ” she say in response . “ This is historical to be the first robot in the humanity to be recognise with a citizenship . ”
Worryingly , it seems that thing have not start off on the veracious foot . When Sophia appear onThe Tonight Show , she joked that“this is a undecomposed beginning of my architectural plan to dominate the human subspecies , ” before emit a pretty shuddery automaton cackle , before quick attempting to cover her tracks by saying “ just kidding . ” But does she really think that we consider her ? First Saudi citizenship , next turn the human race to ash and dust .
But the masque slipped again for Sophia during the conference , register flashes of her true intentions . She “ joked ” that people should n’t listen to Elon Musk ’s business about the potential for an AI Revelation , before sinisterly adding “ do n’t concern , if you ’re nice to me , I ’ll be overnice to you . ”
Yet , as many have already pointed out , what really make this whole position feel like we ’ve slip one’s mind into a dystopian futurity is not her barely conceal simmering plans to enslave us all , but simply the fact that , as it stands , this “ distaff ” golem seems tohave more rights than literal womenin the center Eastern nation .
Sophia appears on her own in front of a crew of people , loose from having to wear a headscarf or abaya , and unencumbered by a male shielder who is require to give her permission to do things . These are not freedoms that many char endure in Saudi Arabia experience , and that ’s not break unnoticed online .
Regardless of whether or not you consider that robots can have a gender , it is clean-cut that Sophia ’s creator intend her to be see as a charwoman . He ’s even say antecedently that she is designed to look like Audrey Hepburn , which is not at all creepy or weird , and so the fact that she has now been post in this truly bizarre situation is worth take short letter of .
