A robotics company in Saudi Arabia recently showcased a male humanoid robot named Muhammad at DeepFest in Riyadh. During the presentation, the robot appeared to reach out and inappropriately touch a female reporter who was addressing the audience. The incident was captured in a seven-second video clip where the reporter can be seen reacting to the robot's gesture.
Muhammad, developed by Saudi AI and robotics firm QSS, was dressed in traditional Arab attire and introduced as the first Saudi robot in the form of a man. The robot, capable of speaking English and Arabic, was designed to showcase the country's advancements in artificial intelligence.
Following the incident, social media users debated whether the robot's behavior was intentional or a result of a glitch in its programming. QSS clarified that Muhammad was fully autonomous and operated independently without direct human control. The company emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the robot during its demonstrations to ensure the security of attendees.
The incident has sparked discussions about the integration of humanoid robots into everyday life and the potential challenges that may arise from their interactions with humans. The artificial intelligence industry is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, with human-like robots expected to play a prominent role in various sectors such as education, retail, and personal assistance.
As the use of humanoid robots becomes more widespread, ensuring appropriate behavior and ethical standards in their design and programming will be crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future.
