Saudi Arabia’s First Humanoid Robot Designed to Avoid Sensitive Topics

Saudi Arabia's first humanoid robot, named Sara, is programmed to steer clear of discussions related to sex or politics due to cultural sensitivities in the region, according to her creator.

Designed as a Saudi Female

Elie Metri, the CEO of QSS AI & Robots based in Riyadh, highlighted that Sara, a 25-year-old robot standing at 1.62 centimeters, is tailored to embody a Saudi female persona. She is attired in traditional Saudi clothing and adheres to societal norms by refraining from engaging in political or sexual dialogues.

Technological Advancements in Saudi Arabia

Sara, draped in a modest Saudi abaya, is not only the first humanoid robot crafted in Saudi Arabia but also a pioneering creation in the Middle East. She possesses bilingual capabilities, fluently conversing in both Arabic and English, showcasing the technological progress in the region.

AI Technology and Language Learning

Metri emphasized that Sara operates on the company's proprietary language learning model powered by artificial intelligence. This AI program enables Sara to comprehend and produce text and speech seamlessly. The model is trained using machine learning techniques on extensive datasets, ensuring Sara's linguistic proficiency.

Cultural Sensitivities and Social Norms

Given Saudi Arabia's legal framework grounded in Sharia law, certain societal conventions are upheld to maintain decorum. While recent reforms have been introduced to modernize societal norms, restrictions on political activism and discussions surrounding sex and sexuality persist. Sara's avoidance of such topics aligns with the cultural norms prevalent in the region.

Media Attention and Controversy

Sara's public appearances at tech expos have garnered considerable attention, shedding light on Saudi Arabia's advancements in robotics and AI. However, a recent incident involving another humanoid robot from the company, Muhammad, sparked controversy when a video surfaced showing the robot seemingly making physical contact with a reporter.

Clarification and Response

Metri addressed the incident, asserting that the robot's actions were inadvertent and misconstrued. He explained that the robot's hand movement while gesturing during conversation led to incidental contact with the reporter's attire. Despite the social media uproar, attendees at the DeepFest conference where the incident occurred did not perceive the interaction negatively.

Metri emphasized the distinction between unintentional contact by a robot and deliberate misconduct, highlighting the need to differentiate between human and artificial actions. He expressed confidence in the public's understanding of robotic behavior and reiterated the positive reception of technological innovations in the Middle East.

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By: jzitser@businessinsider.com (Joshua Zitser)
Title: Saudi Arabia’s First Humanoid Robot Designed to Avoid Sensitive Topics
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/saudi-humanoid-robot-wont-talk-about-sex-politics-creator-says-2024-3
Published Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2024 16:40:25 +0000