rr3
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 19, 2015
- 3,044
- 3,814
Humanoid robot Sophia has been made a citizen of Saudi Arabia - giving her more rights than local women
Women in the country are not allowed to walk in public unaccompanied
Martin BagotHealth And Science Correspondent
VIDEO LOADING
SOPHIA THE ROBOT GIVEN CITIZENSHIP IN SAUDI ARABIA
Get Daily updates directly to your inbox
Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world to give a robot full citizenship - giving it more rights than women.
Called Sophia, she was unveiled at a press conference in the capital Riyadh on Monday and immediately drew criticism for the country in which women are not allowed to walk in public unaccompanied.
Sophia, created by Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics, addressed the audience in English without the customary headscarf and traditional cloak which Saudi women have to wear in public.
She told delgates at the Future Investment Initiative: “I would like to thank very much the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)
(Image: AFP)
Humanoid robot 'Sophia' makes surprise appearance at United Nations to share her views on artificial intelligence
“This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognised with a citizenship.”
Under the Saudi guardianship system every woman must have a male companion with her in public, usually a close family member, who has authority to act on her behalf.
She also appears to have more rights than foreign born workers in the hardline Islamic country which migrant workers are prevented from leaving without the permission of their employer.
The Saudi law is part of the Gulf system of kafala, which limits the rights of foreign workers.
Her unveiling has drew swift criticism on social media.
(Image: Visual China Group)
(Image: Visual China Group)
Women in Saudi Arabia FINALLY allowed to watch sporting events in all-male stadiums after law change
Journalist Murtaza Hussain posted: “This robot has gotten Saudi citizenship before kafala workers who have been living in the country their entire lives.”
Moudi Aljohani tweeted: “I’m wondering if Sophia can leave Saudi Arabia without her guardian’s consent since she is officially Saudi!”
The Kingdom relies on hundreds of thousands of domestic workers from abroad. However there is a thriving black market in runaway migrant workers who have fled their employers but are unable to leave due to exit visa law.
“A humanoid robot called Sophia got Saudi citizenship, while millions linger stateless,” responded Lebanese-UK journalist Kareem Chahayeb.
“What a time to be alive.”
Women in the country are not allowed to walk in public unaccompanied
Martin BagotHealth And Science Correspondent
- 17:17, 31 OCT 2017
- UPDATED19:40, 31 OCT 2017
VIDEO LOADING
SOPHIA THE ROBOT GIVEN CITIZENSHIP IN SAUDI ARABIA
Get Daily updates directly to your inbox
Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world to give a robot full citizenship - giving it more rights than women.
Called Sophia, she was unveiled at a press conference in the capital Riyadh on Monday and immediately drew criticism for the country in which women are not allowed to walk in public unaccompanied.
Sophia, created by Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics, addressed the audience in English without the customary headscarf and traditional cloak which Saudi women have to wear in public.
She told delgates at the Future Investment Initiative: “I would like to thank very much the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)
(Image: AFP)
Humanoid robot 'Sophia' makes surprise appearance at United Nations to share her views on artificial intelligence
“This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognised with a citizenship.”
Under the Saudi guardianship system every woman must have a male companion with her in public, usually a close family member, who has authority to act on her behalf.
She also appears to have more rights than foreign born workers in the hardline Islamic country which migrant workers are prevented from leaving without the permission of their employer.
The Saudi law is part of the Gulf system of kafala, which limits the rights of foreign workers.
Her unveiling has drew swift criticism on social media.
(Image: Visual China Group)
(Image: Visual China Group)
Women in Saudi Arabia FINALLY allowed to watch sporting events in all-male stadiums after law change
Journalist Murtaza Hussain posted: “This robot has gotten Saudi citizenship before kafala workers who have been living in the country their entire lives.”
Moudi Aljohani tweeted: “I’m wondering if Sophia can leave Saudi Arabia without her guardian’s consent since she is officially Saudi!”
The Kingdom relies on hundreds of thousands of domestic workers from abroad. However there is a thriving black market in runaway migrant workers who have fled their employers but are unable to leave due to exit visa law.
“A humanoid robot called Sophia got Saudi citizenship, while millions linger stateless,” responded Lebanese-UK journalist Kareem Chahayeb.
“What a time to be alive.”