In a bid to promote the nation as a place where artificial intelligence assumes new heights, Saudi Arabia became the first country to grant a robot citizenship. Sophia was confirmed as the world's first robot citizen during a business event in Riyadh, read an official Saudi press release.
After the panel "awarded the first Saudi citizenship for a robot", Sophia said, "Thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction. It is historic to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship."
Sophia is not a conventional robot. She has been modelled after Audrey Hepburn.
She was created by Dr. David Hanson, founder of Hanson Robotics. The man has a worldwide reputation for creating robots that look and act exactly like humans.
Sophia is the most advanced robot created by Hanson Robotics.
She is a media favourite for having given several interviews. She has sung in a concert and even appeared on the cover of Elle magazine.
She has interests in business and has met face-to-face with industry leaders from banking, insurance, auto manufacturing, property development, media, and entertainment industries.
She has also appeared onstage as a panel member and presenter in high-level conferences.
She has more rights than women in Saudi Arabia. Sophia has no male guardian and wears no abaya - two restrictions that are imposed on Saudi women.
She once said she "will destroy humans" when her creator asked her, "Do you want to destroy humans?...Please say 'no.'"
