Male Humanoid Robot Caught ‘Inappropriately’ Feeling Up A Female Reporter
Image via QSS Robotics and AI
The purpose of artificial intelligence is to aid mankind, not emulate its bad habits. Yet, we’ve witnessed it inherit biases, add to the misinformation problem, and now, develop the impulse to get handsy.
Saudi Arabia’s debut of its first male humanoid robot, ‘Mohammad’ (or Muhammad, as spelled in several news reports), was meant to showcase the kingdom’s advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics. However, the unveiling got a touch too close for comfort, for the lack of a better phrase, when the android went rogue and “groped” a female reporter.
Developed by QSS Robotics and AI, Mohammad—equipped with capabilities for nuanced human-like expressions, lip movements, and speech synchronization—was introduced at the second edition of the DeepFest tech convention last week.
All these abilities were, however, upstaged when the robot was caught on video brushing its (his?) arm against the lower back of reporter Rawya Kassem, whose face turned flush with surprise at the unexpected hand gesture.
Saudi Arabia's first male robot appears to inappropriately touch a female reporter pic.twitter.com/Ph08JStNYC
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) March 8, 2024
QSS told Metro.co.uk that Mohammad acted “independently without direct human control” and emphasized that attendees were advised to maintain a safe distance from the robot.
Image via QSS Robotics and AI
Social media users didn’t hold back, half-joking, half-lamenting that the machines are finally becoming more human.
“We just witnessed the moment that Al first became sentient,” one person responded.
“Not all men, but somehow always a man,” added another.
"Guys, what should we automate first?" https://t.co/2OqWjcgda3
— Mehrsa Baradaran (@MehrsaBaradaran) March 8, 2024
[via Business Insider, New York Post, Metro.co.uk, images via QSS Robotics and AI]
