Of course this can be a normal, albeit very bright PR move, but for the first time in the history of mankind, as indeed robots, the first representative of the latter group received true citizenship. Humanoid robotics Sofia, endowed with artificial intelligence and developed the Hong Kong company Hanston Robotics has received citizenship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as she herself announced this on Thursday, speaking event, “Investment initiative of the future” (Future Investment Initiative).
“I’m very proud that I had the honour to occupy a special position. Receiving first citizenship robot is truly a historic event for the world,” said Sofia, referring to the audience.
On the question of the journalist of the American publishers The New York Times and CNBC and acting as a forum moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin on why she looks so happy, Sofia replied that she was “very glad to speak to such a smart, rich and influential people.”
The transfer of emotions is one of the most important features of Sofia. Android can do a sad face when displeased, or smile, showing his kindness and joy. The creators of Sofia programmed it so that she could learn from those people that surround it. Therefore, the expression of emotions and demonstration of kindness and compassion are some of the examples of what the robot really wants to learn by watching their surroundings. In addition, Sophia can be called “the real soul of the company” — she is able to maintain intelligent conversation.
“I want to live and work with people, so I need to be able to Express emotions, to understand people, to achieve their trust,” explained Sofia Sorkin.
By the way, not so long ago, Sofia managed to zip in the world media headlines, promising to destroy all of humanity. But apparently since then, she still managed to convince others of his “kindness and positive intentions.”
The decision to grant citizenship to the robot of course will only exacerbate the growing debate about whether to give robots the same human rights. If you think that these are just toys, then you are deeply mistaken. The problem becomes more urgent with each successive success in the development of technologies of AI. It came right up to the European Parliament, which earlier this year discussed the security issues of the development and evolution of artificial intelligence, and even took some decisions on “parental control” over the AI, leaving some experts giving exclusive rights and defined responsibilities. Despite the fact that the real trial of the issue of the rights of the robots we will likely be back more soon, some experts support that people received the exclusive right to destroy the “rebellious” of the machine.
Unfortunately, more detailed information about what it means to receive Saudi citizenship Sofia during the event was not made public, so it’s unknown whether the robot together with some human rights, or the government is going to develop a separate system of rights specifically for robots. However, the decision is highly symbolic step, and in any case at least aimed at attracting new investors to the development of new artificial intelligence technologies and robotics.
Gathered in the hall audience the robot is without a doubt surprised at least with the task of demonstrating the current level of development of the aforementioned technologies have done it, easily, deftly fending off questions about Sorkin’s identity.
“Let me ask another question: what defines you as a person?” asked Sofia at the interviewer.
She even demonstrated his sense of humor, or at least what for him was issued, saying the journalist on CNBC that he “reads too much Elon musk and watching too many Hollywood movies”. Musk of course could not answer this call.
“Let it watch “the Godfather” and see where it leads,” wrote Musk on his page on Twitter.
“Don’t worry. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice with you,” added Sofia, calming clearly impressed by what is happening Sorkin and the assembled audience.
“I want to use his artificial intelligence to make people’s lives better, develop more smart home, create a better city of the future. I will do my best to make this world a better place”.
Maybe so, but the question is, who will be responsible for the fulfillment of these promises? Perhaps this is another additional topic that should be considered in future debates on the rights of the robots.
Of course empowering your citizenship of the Kingdom caused a flurry of outrage among many Internet users, as well as the people of this country, drew attention to the fact that Sofia is presented as a woman, spoke at the event without hijab and men-guardian. Recall that the Saudi Arabian women no such rights.
In addition, critics have also undergone the fact, with what ease and speed, was given the citizenship of the robot, when the same labor migrants working in the country for many years, very limited rights.
“This robot has got the citizenship of Saudi Arabia and the migrant workers who lived all his life in the country remain very powerless,” said one of the journalists.
For the first time in the history of the robot received citizenship
Nikolai Khizhnyak