Controversy at AI Conference as Saudi Arabia's First Male Humanoid Robot Inappropriately Touches Journalist

Saudi Arabia recently introduced its first male humanoid robot at an AI conference, but the event took an unsettling turn. The robot, named Muhammad, was caught on camera in an inappropriate encounter with a female reporter. During the exhibition, while the reporter was delivering her segment, the robot named Muhammad extended its arm and appeared to touch her behind without consent.

An Uncomfortable Incident

The unsettling moment happened in Riyadh at DeepFest, a gathering aimed at discussing advancements in technology, artificial intelligence, and significant achievements in the field. Muhammad was showcased as one of the highlights at the event, but instead, it became the center of controversy. The robot's actions were captured on video during a live report by TV journalist Rawya Kassem, who had to turn and gesture for the robot to stop.

Public Reaction and Defense

The interaction sparked varied responses, with some attendees defending the robot, attributing the behavior to a possible glitch rather than intention. However, there was no official explanation from Muhammad's handlers regarding the cause of the incident. The robot's human-like appearance, adorned with a long gown and a traditional keffiyeh, added to the disturbing nature of the event.

robotics, AI, ethics