Saudi Arabia becomes first country to grant citizenship to a robot
Saudi Arabia becomes first country to grant citizenship
to a robot
By OLIVIA CUTHBERT | Published — Thursday 26 October 2017
LONDON: A humanoid robot took the stage at the Future
Investment Initiative yesterday and had an amusing exchange with the host to
the delight of hundreds of delegates.
Smartphones were held aloft as Sophia, a robot designed
by Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics, gave a presentation that demonstrated her
capacity for human expression.
Sophia made global headlines when she was granted Saudi
citizenship, making the kingdom the first country in the world to offer its
citizenship to a robot.
“I want to live and work with humans so I need to express
the emotions to understand humans and build trust with people,” she said in an
exchange with moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Asked whether robots can be self-aware, conscious and
know they're robots, she said: “Well let me ask you this back, how do you know
you are human?” “I want to use my artificial intelligence to help humans live a
better life, like design smarter homes, build better cities of the future. I
will do my best to make the world a better place,” she said.
Her desire to achieve more human-like characteristics was
rewarded by being granted the first Saudi citizenship for a robot.
“I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction.
This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a
citizenship,” Sophia said.
A panel made up of experts from some of the world’s
leading companies and research institutions discussed the scope for innovations
in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, machine learning
and mixed reality to yield the next generation of products and services, paving
the way for productivity and progress in emerging economies. The session,
called “Thinking machines: Summit on artificial intelligence and robotics,”
explored the potential uplift for businesses that harness AI and robotic
technologies.
Marc Raibert, Founder & CEO of Boston Dynamics,
pinpointed entertainment, security, emergency response and construction as just
a few of the sectors that stand to be revolutionized by robotics.
“I happen to believe that robotics will be bigger than
the Internet,” he said. Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO of ABB Group in Switzerland
anticipated “the new normal in which humans and robots work together.” “I think
we have an exciting future in front of us” he added before conducting a
demonstration of a robot solving a Rubik‘s cube in a matter of minutes.
Keynote speaker Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of
SoftBank Group Corp, a Japanese telecommunications and Internet company, which
is working with Saudi Arabia on the development of a new business and
industrial city, discussed the future of mankind in relation to AI and robots.
“Every industry will be redefined,” he said, describing
the “great opportunity” that lies ahead. “These computers, they will learn,
they will read, they will see by themselves. That’s a scary future but anyway
that’scoming,” he said.
Touching on concerns that robots could eventually
outsmart humans and pose a threat, he added: “They are so smart they will
understand it is meaningless to attack humans.” “We (will) create a new happier
life together.”
On Tuesday Saudi Arabia announced plans to build a $500
billion mega city powered by robotics and renewables on the country’s Red Sea
coast. Majid Alghaslan, a young Saudi chairing a growing company in energy
services and innovative technologies said: “Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an
unprecedented economic, social, and development-accelerated transformation and
it’s now clear that it’s more open than ever for business, especially for
dreamers, and it is all in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
“Innovation will be the major foundation of our transformation and this is
another major factor for sustainable economic prosperity and development for
the future generation of Saudis and the world.”
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