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

<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Sophia has been interviewed around the world and featured on several TV shows and at major conferences including the United Nations General Assembly.</p> <p>It was at one of these events in the Saudi capital Riyadh where she was confirmed as a Saudi citizen.</p> <p>She thanked the country for the honour which made her the first robot ever to be granted citizenship of any country.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>The argument goes on and on. </p> <p>To quote what the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said before her interaction with Sophia two weeks ago, she said: </p> <p>“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.”</p> <p>Watch this edition of <strong><em>Hi-Tech</em></strong> on <strong><em>The Morning Call</em></strong> with <strong><em>Ismail Akwei</em></strong> for more.</p>