Saudi Arabia becomes the first country to grant citizenship to a robot

Saudi Arabia has become the first country to grant citizenship to a robot. The conservative country granted citizenship to a robot named Sophia that was created by a Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics.

According to a report in the BBC, the robot was given citizenship during the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Wednesday. The robot, in response to this 'achievement', was quoted saying in the BBC report that it was “…very honoured and proud for this unique distinction…this is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognised with a citizenship."

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The granting of citizenship to Sophia, which was made to resemble legendary Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn has been met with mixed reactions. While the decision is seen as a step by Riyadh to reinvent itself and shed the tag of a conservative oil-centred economy, many used the occasion to take a dig at the kingdom's attitude towards women and foreign labourers.

Many pointed out that the robot is enjoying more freedom than country’s women who as per law require being accompanied by a male relative whenever they venture outside their homes.

‘Sofi Since You Became Saudi Now You Are Not Allowed To Walk in Public Without Your Hijab And of course Abaya too’ read a tweet intended to taking a dig at the conservative Islamic kingdom.

#صوفيا_تطالب_باسقاط_الولايه
Sofi Since You Became Saudi Now You Are Not Allowed To Walk in Public Without Your Hijab And of course Abaya too pic.twitter.com/HJIXfxDODe

— M420 (@moonshiner99) October 25, 2017

Others hit out at the fact that while a robot was granted citizenship in a matter of hours, labourers working in the country for decades have not yet been given citizenship.