A video from the recent technology festival, DeepFest, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has caused a stir online, with concerns raised about the behavior of artificial intelligence. The footage captures the unveiling of Saudi Arabia’s first male humanoid robot, known as ‘Muhammad’. In the video, a reporter named Rawya Kassem is seen discussing the robot when it extends its hand towards her back, appearing to make contact with her. Kassem can be seen briefly raising her hand to ward off the robot’s advances.
The robot’s actions have sparked a debate among social media users. While some have criticized the robot’s behavior, others have come to its defense, suggesting that there may have been a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the situation. Some speculate that the robot was attempting a handshake or indicating that the reporter should maintain a safe distance, with the awkward contact being an unintentional consequence of proximity.
QSS Systems, the developers of Muhammad, have stated that the robot operates autonomously and that its actions were within normal parameters. However, recognizing the need to prevent individuals from getting too close during demonstrations, the company has pledged to implement additional measures to ensure safety. The organizers of DeepFest have also emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance from robots during interactions to safeguard attendee well-being.
Muhammad, the male counterpart to the robot Sara, introduced himself as the first Saudi robot in the form of a man. Developed as a national project to showcase Saudi Arabia’s advancements in artificial intelligence, Muhammad is capable of carrying out tasks that require precision or pose potential risks to humans in certain environments.
Overall, the incident involving Muhammad at DeepFest serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and responsibility when interacting with AI technologies. While some have raised concerns about the robot’s behavior, others see it as a learning opportunity to better understand the capabilities and limitations of autonomous systems. Moving forward, a balance must be struck between innovation and ensuring the ethical and safe use of artificial intelligence.
