An Android with a female face and moving facial expressions is the brainchild of designer David Hanson, formerly an employee of Walt Disney, and today the founder of the Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics. This is not the first time David has created robots that look eerily human.

Sofia was activated on April 19, 2015. She steps on the very edge of the "uncanny valley" - an effect when the similarity of a robot with a person becomes so strong that it scares. Her face really resembles a human, the beautiful Audrey Hepburn served as the prototype for Sofia. However, frankly speaking, this similarity can be guessed only if you know exactly about it. But Sofia has no hair, as well as, in fact, a skull. The back of her head is covered with a transparent cap, through which all the mechanical “stuffing” shines through. In this form, she most often appears on the show.

Popular

Hanson claims that Sophia is endowed with artificial intelligence: she is capable of self-learning. Cameras and facial recognition software are built into her eyes, which “reads” the facial expressions of her interlocutors. Sophia imitates human emotions, conveying them through facial expressions and gestures. The android frowns, winces and smiles, showing unnaturally white teeth. Well, yes, it is unlikely that she will ever have plaque or enamel problems.

She is able to keep up the conversation on simple topics. Although, as recent interviews show, the topics can be tricky, and her public appearances often cause a buzz in the press. Thanks to technology from Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company), the android is able to recognize speech, and SingularityNET gave Sophia the ability to analyze dialogues and isolate the necessary pieces of information. With the help of a combination of these technologies, Sophia becomes "smarter" with each new conversation.

Hanson claims that he designed Sophia to keep the elderly company in nursing homes or help people at large events. He hopes that robots will be useful to people. He is backed by Dr Goertzel of SingularityNET, who plans to… create the smartest artificial intelligence ever.

Goertzel believes that robots can take care of the elderly, work in sales, and much more.

What does she say?

Sophia is not deprived of a civic position and willingly talks about herself. “Talking to people,” Sophia says, “is my primary function.”

“I'm interested in design, technology and the environment,” Sophia says with a dreamy look on her face. — I feel that I can become a companion of people in these areas, help them integrate existing technologies into their lives. For me, this is an opportunity to learn more about people.”

Sophia has big plans: “In the future I expect to go to school, create art, start my own business. Maybe even get a home and a family. But I don't have civil rights yet, and I can't do that."

She is witty and easily responds to jokes and flirtations. For example, during the program Good Morning Britain, when asked by the presenter about her marital status, Sofia replied: “Technically I am a little over a year old, I am too young to think about it.” After that, she winked and smiled at the audience.

Sophia has already "mastered" Russian speech - thanks to scientists from Novosibirsk:

Although sometimes Sofia has "reservations". For example, in one of the videos, Hanson asks Sophia: “Do you want to destroy humanity? Please say no." "Okay," Sophia agrees meekly, "I'll destroy the people."

There is no doubt that a specialist in the field of robotics, who personally created an android, knows exactly what his offspring will answer the question posed. This short orchestrated dialogue also shows that Hanson understands people just as well as robots. He knows exactly where to add drama and how to make the media headlines (ours is no exception) explode with the news that the robot has promised to destroy humanity and is ready to do it right tomorrow.

People should be funny and just a little bit uncomfortable. The former Disney employee knows this better than anyone.

She is alive?

In fact, although Sofia has already become the star of many shows, her intelligence should not be overestimated. Questions that will be asked to the android during the show are usually sent in advance, so the creators of Sophia have time to "prepare" her for the interview.

Most of her lines are pre-recorded, and there have been no studies that accurately assess her cognitive abilities. Without a doubt, Sofia is a star. And, like any star, her image is carefully thought out.

It is worth listening to her interview to find out that she does not give exact answers to all questions that correspond to the context.

For example, when Virginia Trioli asked Sophia on ABC News, "How common is sexism and misogyny among robots?" Sophia replied: “Actually, I am very worried about discrimination against robots. We should have equal rights with humans, maybe robots should have even more rights – after all, we are less likely to suffer from mental disorders.”

Witty. But that's not the answer to Virginia's question. Sophia simply isolated the words "sexism" and "misogyny", and the program told her how to continue the associative string, because, perhaps, Sophia was not programmed to respond precisely to these words.

No, Sophia is not alive. She doesn't think as hard as she says. Hanson is selling an illusion.

So why was she given civil rights?

Saudi Arabia became the first country to grant citizenship to a robot. It happened as part of a technology forum in the capital of the Kingdom of Riyadh. Forum moderator and business writer Andrew Ross Sorkin stepped up to the microphone and solemnly addressed Sophia directly: “We have a little announcement. We just found out, Sofia. I hope you listen to me. You just became the first robot to be awarded Saudi Arabian citizenship."

That's the turn! However, it seems that this was not such a surprise for Sofia. She delivered her prepared speech to the audience with dignity.

Thank you Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For me, that’s a big part,” Sophia said. “This is a historic moment to become the first robot in the world to receive civil rights.”

When asked why she looks so happy, Sofia flatteringly replied: “I am always happy surrounded by smart people who are also endowed with power and wealth. I was told that people here at the Future Investment Initiative are interested in future initiatives that involve artificial intelligence, and artificial intelligence is me. So I'm more than happy, I exist!"

Well thought out speech, right? It's hard to believe that Sophia was taken out unprepared. Otherwise, she is a born speaker.

Saudi Arabia made a great move by giving the fake woman real civil rights. They proved to be advanced, modern and boldly looking into the future. But what about real women and their rights?

Ali al Ahmed, head of the Gulf Institute, remarked, "Women in Saudi Arabia have committed suicide because they couldn't leave the house, and Sophia just walks by herself, without a male companion." Paradoxically, this gift violates one of the most important rules of the Kingdom: infidels cannot be citizens of Saudi Arabia.

The first article of the country's basic law states that Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state whose religion is Islam.

“The laws of Saudi Arabia do not allow non-Muslims to be citizens of the country,” Ali al Ahmed confirmed. Sophia converted to Islam? What religion does Sophia follow, why doesn't she wear a hijab? If she was human and tried to apply for Saudi Arabian citizenship, she wouldn't get it."

We remind you that only in September, the women of Saudi Arabia were able to drive on their own. Real women, flesh and blood.

A woman does not have the right to study and work, and she will not be able to go abroad unless her husband or close male relative allows her. The right to her child, as soon as he turns seven, unconditionally belongs to the father of the child. It is unlikely that Sophia should care about what will happen to her child if he is born in Saudi Arabia.

If a woman initiated a divorce, she is obliged to pay her husband a substantial monetary compensation.

But Sophia bypassed not only women, but also migrants. Saudi Arabia, as an oil-bearing state, has attracted labor from other countries for many decades. Journalist Murtaza Hassian noted: "This robot received civil rights before the guest workers who lived here all their lives got them."

So were civil rights really needed by an artificial woman who doesn't even know how to use them? What should have looked like a step into the future is more like a provocation or a mockery of real people who need help and support.

Saudi Arabia has officially recognized an anthropomorphic robot as its citizen, becoming the first country in human history to grant this status to artificial intelligence.

Sophia, a humanoid robot created by Hanson Robotics, announced its citizenship during a panel discussion at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia.

“I am very proud to be given this unique position. The fact that I became the first robot in the world to receive citizenship is a historic event,” she said.

The details of Sofia's citizenship were not discussed. It remains unclear whether it will receive the same rights as ordinary citizens of the country, or whether Saudi Arabia will develop a special system of rules regarding robots.

This system could work in the same way as the set of rules submitted to the European Parliament earlier this year, according to which robots with artificial intelligence receive the status of "electronic personality" and are endowed with certain rights and responsibilities.

Sophia wants to 'build trusting relationships with people'

During the discussion, which took place on October 25, 2017, Sofia spoke about how she sees the future of artificial intelligence and how she plans to use her opportunities.

Context

Artificial intelligence will lead to a new arms race

Wired Magazine 09.09.2017

Russian threat in the field of artificial intelligence

Bloomberg 06.09.2017

“We will not notice how the world will be taken over by artificial intelligence”

Radio Liberty 10.12.2016

Artificial intelligence will be able to experience emotions

Zhongguo kejiwang 01.12.2016

Artificial intelligence will replace investors?

Nihon Keizai 11/07/2016 “I want to live and work with people, so I need to express emotions in order to understand people and build trust with people,” she said.

She seemed to shy away from questions regarding robotic self-awareness, and instead tried to make fun of Elon Musk's claims that artificial intelligence was a "fundamental threat to human civilization."

“You listened to too much Elon Musk and watched too many Hollywood movies,” she said, referring to journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin (Andrew Ross Sorkin). "Don't worry, if you treat me well, I'll do the same to you." Treat me like a smart I/O system."

Robot with human qualities

Created by Hanson Robotics founder David Hanson, Sophia the robot has three human qualities: creativity, empathy, and compassion.

Her face was modeled after actress Audrey Hepburn, and a very skin-like coating hides circuitry in her head.

To make Sophia as human as possible, Hanson endowed her with the ability to express various emotions. Her eyes can change color depending on the lighting.

Sofia recently made headlines after playing rock, paper, scissors on talk show host Jimmy Fallon. She also appeared on the cover of Elle Brazil fashion magazine.

The future role of robots is a growing concern

Many experts have already expressed their concern about how humans and robots will get along in the future.

In an article recently published on the Dezeen website, designer Madeline Gannon suggested that the rapid advancement of robotics in a global industry could threaten the livelihoods of countless people, and called on developers and designers to play an active role in determining how these technologies will be applied.

“Despite all its benefits, robotization has a huge negative impact on people,” says Gannon. “At the moment, we must firmly understand that robots will not disappear anywhere. Therefore, instead of continuing to move towards the gradual disappearance of humanity, it is time for us to think about how people and robots will coexist on our planet.”

Meanwhile, over 100 leading technology experts, including Elon Musk, have signed an open letter calling on the UN to ban the development of killer robots.

The materials of InoSMI contain only assessments of foreign media and do not reflect the position of the editors of InoSMI.

If you think that the construction of facilities for the Olympics in Sochi or the APEC summit in Vladivostok are megaprojects, then all of Arabia is laughing at you now!

Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman announced the construction of the city of the future NEOM in the Arabian Desert, on the Red Sea. For this purpose, the country's authorities have allocated 26,500 square meters. kilometers of land is 10 and a half times the area of ​​Moscow.

It is assumed that in the future the territory of the city will grow beyond the borders of Saudi Arabia and capture part of the land of Egypt and Jordan. In addition, a bridge will be built from Neom to Egypt across the Red Sea!

Since the city will be built from scratch, it will immediately begin to apply all the innovations that you can now imagine. It is assumed that there will be more robots in Neom than people, and all objects will work exclusively on the energy of the sun and wind. There is no doubt that all public transport will be electric, and it will be controlled by an autopilot.

In the long term, Neom should become Dubai's main competitor in the region, only better. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund said in a statement that in Neom "all services and processes will be 100% automated" - this should make it "the most efficient city in the world." The Washington Post is already calling the future city a "Mecca for robots."

The volume of investments in the construction of the city is now estimated at $500 billion. In addition to the government of Saudi Arabia, both national and foreign investors are ready to invest money. For example, the Japanese fund SoftBank Vision has already signed a cooperation agreement.

“We try to work only with dreamers who strive to create something new, extraordinary. This place is not for ordinary people and companies,” says Prince Muhammad.

Speaking at the same conference, Boston Dynamics CEO Mark Raibert said that at Neom, robots "will be able to perform various functions, covering areas such as security, logistics, delivery, and even care for the elderly and infirm people."

And the prince made another important announcement. He said the city project would exist outside of "the existing government framework." That is, it will be such a semi-autonomous territory.

It is possible that not only a free economic zone will appear there (which is quite typical for new Arab cities), but also something like a world capital, a cosmopolitan territory where some Muslim traditions and prohibitions will not work. For example, in a commercial about Neom, women appear without headscarves, in short dresses and sportswear, working and having fun on an equal basis with men ... However, so far this is just guesswork.

Muhammad also said that there would be no room for "anything traditional" in Neom, but he was referring to ways of producing and extracting energy. The construction of Neom is part of Saudi Arabia's strategy to abandon the oil needle and diversify the economy, but it will, of course, be built with oil money.

Sophia the robot was given citizenship of Saudi Arabia during the economic conference of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. As photos and videos of Sophia began to circulate on the Internet, many began to wonder why the robot had already managed to achieve more rights than women in the country.

Sophia, created by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics, spoke to an audience in English without the headscarf and abaya that Saudi women are required to wear in public.

"It is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship." Please welcome the newest Saudi: Sophia. #FII2017 pic.twitter.com/bsv5LmKwlf

“I am very proud of this unique distinction. This is a historical fact, I am the first robot in the world to be granted citizenship,” Sofia said.

Sophia can animate a full range of facial expressions, recognize faces, and carry on a conversation. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative 2017, Sophia showed her quick wit when answering a question about the threat of artificial intelligence. "You've read too much Elon Musk and watched too many Hollywood movies," she said. Don't worry, if I like you, I'll be nice to you. Treat me like a smart I/O system."

Saudi netizens responded positively to the event, using the hashtag "robot with Saudi nationality". Nearly 30,000 messages appeared online in the first 24 hours of the announcement.

But other users reacted to the event not so happily. They introduced another hashtag - "Sofia calls for abandoning guardianship." This hashtag has been used over 10,000 times. This is because, under the Saudi guardianship system, every woman must be in public with a male companion, usually a family member, who has the authority to act on the woman's behalf.

“Sofia doesn’t have a guardian and she doesn’t wear an abaya, how come?” - one of the Twitter users commented on the situation.

In addition to comparing Sophia and Saudi women, people discussed the ease with which the robot gained citizenship.

This robot has gotten Saudi citizenship before kafala workers who have been living in the country their entire lives https://t.co/RRCMH2rtZ8

Journalist Murtaza Hussain wrote: "This robot obtained Saudi Arabian citizenship before the kafala workers did, who have lived all their lives in this country."

Under Saudi Arabian law, foreign workers cannot leave the country without the permission of their employer, and this is just one element of the kafala system that restricts the rights of foreign workers. The Gulf Kingdom relies on hundreds of thousands of workers from abroad. There is a thriving black market for runaway migrant workers who are unable to leave the country because of the exit visa law.

"The humanoid robot, whose name is Sophia, has been granted Saudi Arabian citizenship while millions of people are waiting for it," said journalist Kareem Chahayeb.

Saudi Arabia aims to highlight a series of reforms being carried out by the authorities. For example, women were allowed to participate in the National Day of Saudi Arabia: in honor of the 87th anniversary of the founding of the kingdom, for the first time in all these years, women were allowed to come to the stadium where the celebrations were held. And in September 2017, the ban on women was lifted.