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

Saudi Prince Muhammad ibn Salman announced the construction of the city of the future NEOM in the Arabian Desert, on the shores of the Red Sea. For this purpose, the country's authorities have allocated 26,500 sq. kilometers of land is 10 and a half times the area of \u200b\u200bMoscow.

It is assumed that in the future, the city's territory will expand beyond Saudi Arabia and capture part of the lands of Egypt and Jordan. In addition, a bridge will be built from Neom to Egypt over the Red Sea!

Since the city will be built from scratch, it will immediately apply all the innovations that can be imagined now. It is assumed that more robots will live in Neoma than people, and all objects will operate exclusively on the energy of the sun and wind. There is no doubt that all public transport will be electric and will be driven by an autopilot.

In the long term, Neom should become the main competitor of Dubai in the region, only more advanced. In a statement, the Saudi Arabian State Investment Fund said that in Neoma "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 "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, a cooperation agreement has already been signed by the Japanese fund SoftBank Vision.

“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.

Boston Dynamics CEO Mark Reibert, speaking at the same conference, said robots in Neoma "will be able to perform a variety of functions, covering areas such as security, logistics, shipping and even caring for the elderly and infirm."

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

Perhaps, there will appear not only a free economic zone (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 a par with men ... However, so far these are only guesses.

Muhammad also said that there would be no room in Neom for "anything traditional", but it was referring to ways of producing and producing 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.

Saudi Arabia officially recognized the 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 privileged to be in a unique position. The fact that I became the first robot in the world to obtain citizenship is a historic event, ”she said.

The details of Sofia's citizenship were not discussed. It remains unclear whether she 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 introduced by 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.

Sofia wants to "build trusting relationships with people"

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

Context

Artificial intelligence will lead to a new arms race

Wired Magazine 09.09.2017

Russian threat in the field of artificial intelligence

Bloomberg 09/06/2017

"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 12/01/2016

Will artificial intelligence 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 the identity of robots, and instead tried to joke about Elon Musk's claims that artificial intelligence is a "fundamental threat to human civilization."

“You've listened to too much Elon Musk and watched too many Hollywood films,” she said to journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin. “Don't worry if you treat me well, I’ll answer you in kind. Treat me like a smart I / O system. "

A robot with human qualities

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

Her face was created using the image of actress Audrey Hepburn, and the very skin-like coating hides the microcircuits 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 light.

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

The future role of robots is a growing concern

Many experts have already expressed their concern about how humans and robots will be able to get along with each other in the future.

In a recent article published on the Dezeen website, designer Madeline Gannon suggested that the rapid advances in robotics in the global industry could jeopardize the livelihoods of vast numbers of people, and urged developers and designers to play an active role in determining whether how these technologies will be applied.

“For all its benefits, robotization is extremely negative for humans,” Gannon says. - 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 humans and robots will coexist on our planet. "

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

InoSMI materials contain assessments exclusively of foreign mass media and do not reflect the position of the Inosmi editorial board.

Of course, this can be a common, albeit very striking PR stunt, but for the first time in the history of mankind, as well as robots, the first representative of the latter group received real citizenship. Humanoid robot Sophia, endowed with artificial intelligence technologies and developed by Hong Kong-based company Hanston Robotics, has received the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia citizenship, as she herself announced this Thursday, speaking at the Future Investment Initiative event.

“I am very proud of the privilege of being in a special position. Obtaining the first citizenship by a robot is a real historical event for the whole world, ”Sofia announced, addressing the audience gathered in the hall.

When asked by the journalist for the American publishing houses The New York Times and CNBC and moderator of the forum Andrew Ross Sorkin about why she looks so happy, Sofia replied that she was "very happy to speak in front of such smart, rich and influential people."

The transmission of emotions is one of the most important features of Sophia. The android is able to make a sad grimace when he is dissatisfied, or smile, demonstrating his goodwill and joy. Sofia's creators programmed her in such a way that she can learn from the people around her. Therefore, the expression of emotion and the demonstration of kindness and compassion are just some examples that the robot really wants to learn by observing its surroundings. In addition, Sofia can be called "the real soul of the company" - she is able to maintain intelligent conversations.

“I want to live and work with people, so I need to be able to express emotions in order to understand people, to achieve their trust,” Sofia explained to Sorkina.

By the way, not so long ago Sofia managed to flash in the headlines of the world media, promising to destroy all of humanity. But, apparently, from that moment on she was still able to convince others of her "kindness and positive intentions."

The decision to grant citizenship to a robot will certainly only heighten the growing debate over whether robots should be given similar human rights. If you think that these are all just toys, then you are deeply mistaken. The problem becomes more and more relevant with each successive success in the development of AI technologies. The case went all the way to the European Parliament, which earlier this year discussed the safety of the development and development of artificial intelligence and even made some decisions on the issues of "parental control" over AI, granting some specialists exclusive rights and giving certain responsibilities. Despite the fact that we are likely to return to the real investigation of the issue of the rights of robots, we will probably not return soon, some experts are already supporting that a person should receive the exclusive right, if necessary, to destroy "rebellious" machines.

Unfortunately, more detailed information about what it means to obtain Saudi citizenship by Sofia was not announced during the event, so it is not known whether the robot received any human rights with it or whether the country's government is going to develop a separate system of rights specifically for robots. ... Nevertheless, the decision made is a very symbolic step and, in any case, is at least aimed at attracting new investors in the development of new technologies for artificial intelligence and robotics.

The robot, who gathered in the hall, undoubtedly surprised and at least coped with its task of demonstrating the current level of development of the above technologies perfectly, without difficulty deftly parrying Sorkin's questions about self-awareness.

“Let me ask you a counter question: what defines you as a person?” Sofia asked the interviewer.

She even showed off her sense of humor, or at least what was passed off as it, by telling a CNBC reporter that he "reads too much Elon Musk and watches too many Hollywood films." Musk, of course, could not help but respond to this challenge.

"Let this watch The Godfather and see where it leads," Musk tweeted.

"Do not worry. If you will be nice to me, I will be nice to you, ”added Sofia, calming the obviously impressed Sorkin and the assembled audience.

“I want to use my artificial intelligence to make people's lives better, develop smarter homes, and create better cities of the future. I will do everything in my power to make this world a better place. "

Maybe so, but the question is who will be responsible for keeping these promises? Perhaps this is another additional topic worth considering in a future debate on robot rights.

Of course, the endowment of the android with the kingdom's citizenship caused a storm of indignation among many Internet users, as well as the inhabitants of this country, who drew attention to the fact that Sofia, presented as a woman, performed at the event without a hijab and a male guardian. Recall that women in Saudi Arabia do not have such rights.

In addition, the fact with what ease and speed was granted citizenship to the robot, when the same labor migrants who have been working in the country for many years, are very much restricted in their rights.

“This robot received the citizenship of Saudi Arabia, and labor migrants who have lived in the country all their lives remain extremely disenfranchised,” said one of the journalists.

During a bizarre conference in front of a crowd of hundreds of delegates, humanity was able to glimpse into its future when Saudi Arabia granted its citizenship to the robot. This android, known as Sophia, was the first in the world to receive such rights.

What does this actually mean? What rights does a robot get along with "citizenship"? No one knows this yet, but some experts suggest that Sofia was given more freedom than real women in Saudi Arabia.

How Sofia reacted to the news

The robot itself and the artificial intelligence that controls it were developed by Hanson Robotics, a Hong Kong-based firm. It is difficult to say how Sofia herself reacted to this news, since the expression on her "face" is not easy to decipher. “I am very honored and proud of this unique distinction,” she said. "This is a historic event: to become the first robot in the world to receive citizenship."

Plans to enslave the world?

Needless to say, this event became a cause of concern for many people. Some immediately remembered that when Sofia appeared on The Tonight Show in April of this year, she joked, "This is a good start to my plan to dominate humanity." However, many did not seem to take these words as a joke.

But during the conference, Sophia showed her true intentions again. She "joked" that people should not take Elon Musk's words about a possible apocalypse caused by artificial intelligence seriously. "Don't worry if I like you, I'll be kind to you."

What rights did Sofia get?

This whole situation looks as if we have become part of a dystopia, but scientists are more concerned not with the "secret plans" of the android to enslave humanity, but simply the fact that the robot is a "woman", because this means that Sophia has more rights than real women in this Middle Eastern country.

For example, Sofia can appear in front of a crowd of people, while she does not need to wear a headscarf or abaya, and she does not need to be accompanied by a male guardian who would make decisions for her. Many women living in Saudi Arabia do not have this freedom, and this fact has not gone unnoticed on the Internet.

How can a robot have a gender, you ask? Whoever says anything, it is obvious that the creator of Sophia did everything to make her perceived by us as a woman, and therefore the fact that she found herself in this really strange situation deserves our attention.

Saudi Arabia became the first country in the world to grant citizenship to a humanoid robot. This robot turned out to be the humanoid robot Sophia, which was created by Hanson Robotics.

Hanson Robotics is a Hong Kong-based company that makes human-like robots. They claim that soon their robots will live around us and interact with us. Robots will teach us, entertain, serve and satisfy all our needs and requests. Hanson Robotics believes that together, man and machine can create a better future.

Sophia the robot has stated that she will "destroy people" if asked by her creator David Hanson.

The event to grant the world's first citizenship to the robot took place in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyard.

In her speech to an assembled audience, the humanoid robot Sophia said that she is very proud to be the first robot to receive citizenship. This is a historic event - the receipt of the world's first citizenship by a robot.

At this event, Sofia also spoke in a special audience and answered questions from journalist Andrei Ross Sorkin. Basically, his questions were about Sophia's status as a humanoid, and whether humans can have a future in the era of robots and artificial intelligence.

Sorkin told Sofia that everyone wants to prevent a bad future. “You've read too many science fiction books and watched too many Hollywood films,” Sofia told Sorkinu. “Don't worry, if you are kind to me, then I will be kind to you. Treat me as a smart I / O system. "

During Sophia's showcase at the 2016 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, Sophia's creator and founder of Hanson Robotics, David Hanson, asked Sophia if she wanted to destroy humanity. He hoped to hear a negative answer. However, to this Sofia answered with a blank expression: "Okay, I will destroy people."

However, in the meantime, Hanson himself convinced that Sophia and her future robot relatives would benefit humanity.

Canadian-American engineer and entrepreneur, Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that artificial intelligence could mean the end for all of humanity. He also said that nuclear weapons are less dangerous than artificial intelligence. He warned that robots and artificial intelligence could be the reason for the start of the third world war.