Robots rising; Sophia the robot gets Saudi citizenship [Hi-Tech]

Have you heard about the human-like robot called Sophia? Well, if you have, the year-and-a-half old robot has been granted Saudi citizenship.

This humanoid robot developed by American company Hanson Robotics is equipped with artificial intelligence technology which allows her to act and speak like a human as well as make facial expressions.

She has a porcelain skin with other features including a slender nose, high cheekbones, an intriguing smile, and deeply expressive eyes that seem to change color with the light.

Sophia has been interviewed around the world and featured on several TV shows and at major conferences including the United Nations General Assembly.

It was at one of these events in the Saudi capital Riyadh where she was confirmed as a Saudi citizen.

She thanked the country for the honour which made her the first robot ever to be granted citizenship of any country.

This opened a can of worms as critics pointed out jokingly that women have limited rights in the Gulf country, yet a robot without a male guardian and full face veil is given rights.

The argument goes on and on.

To quote what the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said before her interaction with Sophia two weeks ago, she said:

“The influence of technology on our society should be determined by actions of humans and not by machines. If technological progress is not managed well, it risks exacerbating existing inequalities.”

Watch this edition of Hi-Tech on The Morning Call with Ismail Akwei for more.