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Saudi Arabia becomes first country to grant citizenship to robot

Saudi Arabia becomes first country to grant citizenship to robot

Sophia

Story highlights

News of Sophia?s citizenship was announced at the Future Investment Initiative --?'Thinking Machines: Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Robots' in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday

Saudi Arabia has become the first country to grant citizenship to a robot. The robot, Sophia, was created byDavid Hanson for Hanson Robotics.

News of Sophia’s citizenship was disclosed at a summit organised by Hong Kong-based companyFuture Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Wednesday.

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“I want to use my artificial intelligence to help humans live a better life,”Sophia said.“I strive to become an empathetic robot,”the robotmentioned atthe summit.

"Thank you to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am very honoured and proud of this unique distinction. It is historic to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship," Sophia told a panel at the summit after she was informed about hercitizenship.