News
News

Saudi Arabia becomes first country to grant citizenship to robot

WATCH: Saudi Arabia First County to Grant Citizenship to Robot
By Joy Johnston, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Oct 28, 2017

Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world to grant citizenship to a robot.

Sophia, a robot designed by Hanson Robotics, received the honor Wednesday at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.

Explore>> Read more trending news


Fortune reported that Sophia was designed to look like the late actress Audrey Hepburn.

The robot spoke for several minutes at the event, and said she was "honored and proud" to receive citizenship status.

Sophia used humor in an attempt to downplay any concerns about a future filled with robots.

David Hanson, the robot's creator, told Business Insider that he hopes such robots can assist older people in nursing homes and serve as assistants at attractions and events.

About the Author

Joy Johnston, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
More Stories

Keep Reading

On April 8, 1974, in Atlanta, Hank Aaron smashed baseball’s home run record. Our special coverage celebrating the 50th anniversary of this magical moment has begun online and in our print editions. There’s still more to come as Monday’s historic anniversary arrives.

Credit: Richard Watkins

Illustration for AJC honors Hank Aaron back in the glittering lights

Illustration for AJC honors Hank Aaron back in the glittering lights

‘Digital is real time, print is lifetime’: Farewells to the paper AJC

From the sound of the presses to framing special front pages, those who helped build the AJC share their memories.

PSC won’t delay key Georgia Power vote after Democrats’ election wins

The Georgia Public Service Commission has rejected a bid to delay a key vote on whether to allow Georgia Power to execute a historic expansion of its generation fleet.

The Latest

In 1993, Atlanta had two city papers, The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution. The newsrooms merged years earlier, but they didn't become The Atlanta Journal-Constitution until 2001. (AJC 1993)

‘Digital is real time, print is lifetime’: Farewells to the paper AJC

LISTEN

‘It’s UATL’: Fire and Ice: The Joy Goddess of Harlem

PSC won’t delay key Georgia Power vote after Democrats’ election wins

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.