Saudi Arabia's First Male Robot Sparks Outrage for Alleged Harassment of TV Reporter

The controversy comes in the context of ongoing global concerns about harassment against women, particularly in media roles.

Digital Desk: Saudi Arabia's first male humanoid robot, Android Muhammad, created a stir on social media after a video surfaced online, allegedly showing the robot "harassing" a female TV reporter. The video was taken during its unveiling at the DeepFast event in Riyadh. The seven-second clip captures the robot standing beside reporter Rawiya Al-Qasimi, with its robotic arm making movements that some viewers felt inappropriate.

The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the handle 'TansuYegen,' quickly gained traction, sparking a debate on whether the incident was a result of the robot's programming. While some users defended the robot's natural hand movements, others criticized the programmers for what they perceived as harassment. The controversy has led to over 196k views and a multitude of reactions.

As discussions unfolded online, users questioned the programming responsible for the robot's actions, with varying opinions on whether it constituted harassment. Despite differing views, the incident raised concerns about the ethical implications of humanoid robot behaviour, especially in public spaces.

The controversy comes in the context of ongoing global concerns about harassment against women, particularly in media roles. Many expressed surprise at the unexpected behaviour of a robot and debated the responsibility of those behind its programming.

Notably, the robot, named Android Muhammad, was introduced as part of DeepFast's second edition in Riyadh. As reported by MoneyControl, the robot is designed for tasks requiring high precision and can operate in conditions hazardous to humans, contributing to enhanced safety and production efficiency.

The incident has ignited discussions about the need for responsible programming in AI, shedding light on the challenges and ethical considerations associated with humanoid robots' interactions with humans.