Saudi Arabia recently made a non-human woman, Sophia a citizen, to become the first country to grant a robot the right to citizenship, the Center for International Communication, Saudi Arabia has announced.
CIC Saudi Arabia made the announcement on Wednesday via its verified Twitter account @CICSaudi.
The robots new citizenship status was made public at the Future Investment Initiative summit being held in Riyadh, the country’s capital city.
"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
— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) October 25, 2017
“I am very honoured and proud for this unique distinction,” the robot Sophia said on stage. “This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a citizenship.”
The robot was developed by American firm Hanson Robotics. The company described Sophia as “the most beautiful and celebrated robot”.
The robot’s new status immediately attracted criticism as Sophia, appeared on stage without an abaya, a head covering and cloak normally required of women by the Saudi government.
Many online have pointed out that the non-human robot now has more rights than millions of women in Saudi Arabia. They point to the example that the laws of the land stipulate that women are required to wear a headscarf and an abaya, a garment that covers a woman, down to her ankles. Yet, during her speech on stage, Sophia was not dressed in either, nor was she accompanied by a male companion as the law required.
#صوفيا_تطالب_باسقاط_الولايه
Sofi Since You Became Saudi Now You Are Not Allowed To Walk in Public Without Your Hijab And of course Abaya too pic.twitter.com/HJIXfxDODe— M420 (@moonshiner99) October 25, 2017
