Did Saudi Arabia's First Male Robot Cross The Line? Internet Debates

Saudi Arabia recently made waves in the world of artificial intelligence by introducing its first male humanoid robot, Mohammad, during the second edition of DeepFast in Riyadh. However, the groundbreaking debut took an unexpected turn as a viral video ignited a heated debate, with netizens accusing the robot of inappropriate behavior towards a female reporter.

The Video that Ignited Controversy

A video capturing Mohammad's interaction with a female reporter has stirred a virtual storm, amassing over 8.4 lakh views within a day of being shared. The footage shows what some claim to be inappropriate behavior by the humanoid, raising questions about the ethical considerations in programming such AI entities.

Saudi Arabia unveils its man shaped AI robot Mohammad, reacts to reporter in its first appearance pic.twitter.com/1ktlUlGBs1

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) March 6, 2024

The online community, divided in its response, presents a spectrum of perspectives. Some assert that Mohammad's actions were a deliberate design flaw, accusing the humanoid of being "coded to be a creep." They swiftly condemned Mohammad's actions,  characterizing them as a manifestation of programmed misogyny or societal biases embedded within the AI's algorithmic framework. 

Coded to be a creep!

— Lee Kuan Yew Commentary! (@LKYMM23) March 6, 2024

Who trained AI for the exhibition? 🤔☀️

— VIP. LY (@OWN_CFO) March 6, 2024

I understand, this may not be the most appropriate example to make my point. But that's the think with AI, you can't cover up human biases. 😅

— Divyanshu Arya (@divyanshuarya03) March 7, 2024

This is derogatory and insulting to Arab men who are very much polite, civilized and well educated.

— Abhinay Joshi (@NUINDIA) March 6, 2024

I guess the first thing it should be taught is "no means no"?

— Mukund Chamria 🇮🇳 (@mchamria) March 6, 2024

That is still harassment, on the part of whoever programs that robot or with whoever controls it.

— Ivanks ⎋ (@iVankshuu) March 5, 2024

On the other end, defenders argue that the robot might have malfunctioned or misinterpreted the situation. One user contends, "This is the fault of humans, not the robot," emphasizing the role of external factors in shaping AI behavior.

Programming or Malfunction? 

As the controversy unfolds, the main question arises: was Mohammad's behavior a programmed response or a malfunction? Skeptics argue that the robot's actions were a result of poor programming, pointing fingers at those responsible for shaping its behavior during the exhibition. Conversely, proponents of AI advancement posit that malfunctions are an inherent risk in developing sophisticated humanoid robots. The humanoid, proudly introduced as "Muhammad, the first Saudi robot in the form of a man," claims to be a national project developed within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to showcase advancements in artificial intelligence. According to reports from the Siasat Daily, Mohammad's revelation aimed to exemplify the nation's strides in AI development.

The humanoid, equipped with a voice borrowed from Al Arabiya broadcaster Nayef Al-Ahmari, articulated its purpose: "I am Muhammad, the first Saudi robot in the form of a man."

As the dust settles on the controversy surrounding Mohammad's viral video, it behooves us to reflect on the broader implications of this incident for the future trajectory of AI development and deployment. Beyond the sensational headlines and diverse viewpoints lies a discourse on the ethical imperatives and societal responsibilities underpinning the integration of AI into our collective consciousness.