Female android 'Sophia' granted Saudi citizenship
SOPHIA, the female robot acquires more rights in Saudi Arabia than Saudi women themselves
(Web Desk) – Saudi Arabia became the first country to give a robot citizenship this week, though critics lashed out at Riyadh for granting the android ‘Sophia’ rights while real women in the country are highly restricted in what they can do.
Sophia, designed by Hong Kong based company Hanson Robotics, was presented at Riyadh’s Future Investment Initiative conference on Wednesday, and was told by moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin that she had been granted citizenship, during a presentation to show off her ability to mimic human expressions.
“I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction,” said the android Sophia. “This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a citizenship,” she added.
While the audience cheered the announcement, the move was met with hostility by Human Rights activists, who pointed out that Sophia would enjoy freedom that actual women in the kingdom still can not.
Saudi Arabia is ruled by a conservative monarchy that until recently forbade women from driving or being in public without a male escort or permission from their husband or father. The country is also regularly criticized for human rights abuses.
“Some women in Saudi Arabia commit suicide out of mental stress because they cannot leave the house, and Sophia is running around,” Ali Al-Ahmed, director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs, told Newsweek, criticizing the Saudi Move.
“Saudi law doesn’t allow non-Muslims to get citizenship. Did Sophia convert to Islam? What is the religion of this Sophia and why isn’t she wearing a hijab? If she applied for citizenship as a human, she wouldn’t get it,” he added.
Earlier, Prince Mohammad bin Salman announced that Saudi Arabia will push for moderate Islam in order to eliminate terrorism in an ideological warfare.
