Saudi Arabia’s debut of a “male” humanoid robot took an unexpected turn as it appeared to inappropriately touch a female reporter during a presentation.
The unveiling occurred at DeepFest in Riyadh, where Saudi robotics company QSS introduced “Muhammad the Humanoid Robot” last week. Dressed in traditional Saudi attire and fluent in Arabic and English, Muhammad was touted as the kingdom’s first humanoid male robot, representing a national project showcasing Saudi Arabia’s advancements in AI.
However, during the presentation, a video captured the robot seemingly extending its hand toward Al Arabiya reporter Rawya Kassem’s backside. Kassem responded with a stern glare and raised palm before continuing her speech.
Social media quickly erupted with accusations of the robot’s misconduct, prompting QSS to issue a statement. The company emphasized that Muhammad operated autonomously, without direct human control, and maintained that there were “no deviations from expected behavior” during the incident. They also claimed to have informed attendees, including reporters, to maintain a safe distance from the robot during its demonstration.
QSS pledged to implement “additional measures” to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of individuals within the robot’s vicinity.
The incident highlights the growing presence of humanoid robots in the AI industry, which analysts predict could reach a value of $13.8 billion by 2028. Despite their potential, challenges remain before these robots can fully integrate into various sectors of the workforce.
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