Analysis | Saudi Arabia grants citizenship to Hong Kong robot Sophia – with rights ahead of real women and foreign workers
A robot simulation of a woman now seems to enjoy freedoms that flesh-and-blood women in Saudi Arabia do not
Until recently, the most famous thing that Sophia the robot had ever done was beat US TV host Jimmy Fallon a little too easily in a game of rock-paper-scissors.
But now, the advanced artificial intelligence robot, created by Hong Kong’s Hanson Robotics has a new feather in her cap: citizenship.
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially granted citizenship to the humanoid robot last week during a programme at the Future Investment Initiative, a summit that links deep-pocketed Saudis with inventors hoping to shape the future.
Sophia’s recognition made international headlines – and sparked an outcry against a country with a shoddy human rights record that has been accused of making women second-class citizens.
“Thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the country’s newest citizen said. “It is historic to be the first robot in the world granted citizenship.”
In her comments, Sophia shied away from controversy. But many people recognised the irony of Sophia’s new recognition: a robot simulation of a woman enjoys freedoms that flesh-and-blood women in Saudi Arabia do not.