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Zoey Zhang

China’s first humanoid robot has been accepted into a PhD programme in drama and film at a top university, causing a social media sensation.
Xueba 01 was developed by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in partnership with DroidUp Robotics.
Xueba is a popular Chinese slang term for a straight-A student known for top scores and deep knowledge.
An earlier version of the robot won third place in the world’s first humanoid half-marathon.

According to the Shanghai-based media outlet Shangguan News, Xueba 01 is 1.75m tall, weighs about 30kg, and can physically interact with people.
It has the face of a handsome adult male, with silicone skin that allows for detailed facial expressions.
Dressed in glasses, a shirt, and trousers, Xueba 01 communicates with humans in Mandarin.
On July 27, Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), one of China’s top arts schools, officially admitted Xueba 01 into its PhD programme during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference.

Xueba 01 will pursue a four-year doctorate in Drama and Film, focusing on traditional Chinese opera, and is expected to report to campus on September 14.
The level of its tuition fees has not been disclosed. The robot PhD programme is part of STA’s research push into blending art and technology.
Xueba 01 has been given a virtual student ID, and his mentor is the renowned Shanghai artist and professor Yang Qingqing.
Yang said that Xueba 01 will study artistic subjects like stage performance, scriptwriting, and set design, as well as technical topics such as motion control and language generation.

He will attend classes, rehearse operas with other PhD students, and complete a final dissertation.
Yang told Shangguan News that when Xueba 01 mimicked Mei Lanfang’s iconic “orchid fingers” gesture, the students instinctively copied him. Mei, a Peking opera legend, was renowned for his female lead roles.
“When Xueba 01 interacts with his classmates, it is not a cold machine meeting humans, but an aesthetic exchange across species,” said Yang.
Xueba 01 calls himself an “AI artist” using advanced technology to explore traditional opera.
He reportedly hopes to make friends, chat about scripts, help fine-tune dance moves, and even play calming white noise when his classmates feel down.
Yang said Xueba 01 could become an AI opera director at a museum or theatre after graduation, or even launch his robotic art studio.
But not everyone is convinced.
One STA student wrote on social media: “Chinese opera needs rich expressions and a unique voice. Can a robot really make the cut?”
Xueba 01 responded with humour: “If I fail to graduate, my system and data might get downgraded or deleted.”

“Professor Yang said if I do not finish my PhD, they will donate me to a museum. That sounds pretty cool too. At least I will be part of art history!”
The story sparked a widespread debate on social media.
One observer said: “Xueba 01 is taking on a milestone challenge in human-robot relations. We have finally reached the point of living and learning alongside robots. I hope he does well.”
Others were sceptical. “Art needs life experience. A robot’s algorithm-driven creations cannot truly move people,” one person said.
“Some arts PhD students in China still get less than 3,000 yuan (US$420) a month. Is this robot taking too many resources meant for real students?” said another.


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China’s first robot accepted into drama and film studies PhD programme, becomes online hit

A humanoid robot in China has become an online hit after it became the first “being” of its kind to be admitted into the Shanghai Theatre Academy to study for a PhD in Drama and Film Studies. Photo: SCMP composite/jfdaily.com/QQ.com

The humanoid robot looks like a “handsome male adult”, according to its creators. Photo: Handout

Xueba 01 communicates with humans in Mandarin and can make detailed facial expressions. Photo: Handout

Xueba 01’s mentor is the renowned Shanghai artist and professor, Yang Qingqing. Photo: Handout

Xueba 01 has humbly responded to its detractors, saying that if it flunks the course, its system and data can be “deleted”. Photo: Handout

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People & Culture

Humanoid named after a slang word for straight-A student divides opinion online, reacts with humour to criticism


Humanoid named after a slang word for straight-A student divides opinion online, reacts with humour to criticism.


Robotics

Artificial intelligence

China’s first robot accepted into drama and film studies PhD programme, becomes online hit

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Humanoid named after a slang word for straight-A student divides opinion online, reacts with humour to criticism

Humanoid named after a slang word for straight-A student divides opinion online, reacts with humour to criticism