Saudi Arabiaâs debut of a âmaleâ 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 âMuhammad the Humanoid Robotâ last week. Dressed in traditional Saudi attire and fluent in Arabic and English, Muhammad was touted as the kingdomâs first humanoid male robot, representing a national project showcasing Saudi Arabiaâs advancements in AI.
However, during the presentation, a video captured the robot seemingly extending its hand toward Al Arabiya reporter Rawya Kassemâs backside. Kassem responded with a stern glare and raised palm before continuing her speech.
Social media quickly erupted with accusations of the robotâs misconduct, prompting QSS to issue a statement. The company emphasized that Muhammad operated autonomously, without direct human control, and maintained that there were âno deviations from expected behaviorâ 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 âadditional measuresâ to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of individuals within the robotâs 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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