Critics slam robot citizen
SAUDI Arabians are up in arms because a humanoid robot who doesn’t “cover up” or abide by the nation’s strict laws received citizenship at a tech conference in Riyadh.
Sophia, created by Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong, was given official status at the Future Investment Initiative conference. “I am very honoured and proud for this unique distinction,” she said.
“This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognised with citizenship.”
Her citizenship, however, drew rebukes on social media by those who questioned why restrictive Saudi laws didn’t seem to apply to Sophia.
“Sophia has no guardian, doesn’t wear an abaya or cover up – how come?” one Twitter user wrote. Others criticised how fast she got her citizenship.