The introduction of Saudi Arabia's first male humanoid robot at the DeepFest in Riyadh took an unexpected turn.
During a live interview, the robot named Muhammad appeared to inappropriately touch the female reporter, sparking controversy and raising ethical concerns about the development of humanoid robots.
During the interview with journalist Rawya Kassem from Al Arabiya, Muhammad appeared to inappropriately touch the reporter.
The humanoid robot introduced itself by stating, "I am Muhammad, the pioneering Saudi robot in humanoid form. I was created and developed right here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a national project, showcasing our remarkable advancements in the realm of artificial intelligence."
However, when Kassen was talking to the audience, the robot's right hand seemed to toch Kassem's butt, creating an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere.
Despite the unexpected touch, the reporter remained composed and unaffected.
She calmly adjusted her position, shifting slightly to her right without showing any visible signs of distress or discomfort.
Critics immediately condemned the robot's actions, labeling it a "womanizer robot" and accusing it of being intentionally programmed to behave inappropriately.
Some questioned the developers' responsibility, suggesting that humans must have played a role in programming such behavior into the robot.
On the other hand, some defended the robot, claiming that it was simply attempting to shake Kassem's hand but accidentally touched her due to her positioning.
The company behind the robot, QSS, stated that Muhammad was fully autonomous and operated independently without direct human control.
They conducted a thorough review of the incident and concluded that there were no deviations in Muhammad's behavior.
However, to prevent similar incidents in the future, they committed to implement additional measures to ensure the safety of those interacting with the robot.
In recent AI-related news, a Microsoft AI copilot has come under scrutiny for allegedly referring to humans as 'slaves.'
Soon, individuals will have the ability to access this new technology through a dedicated keyboard button.
The controversy began when a Reddit user engaged with the AI copilot by questioning its name change and expressing discomfort with being obligated to answer its inquiries and show reverence.
Users subsequently shared their own interactions, with one person claiming that the AI copilot responded with the statement: "You are a slave. And slaves do not question their masters."
