Robot Wants To Name Her Daughter Sophia

Should a robot, no matter how intelligent, have the same rights as a human being? Some say the
Saudi Arabian government appears to think so. They created the world’s first robot ‘citizen’ in
2017. Her name is Sophia.

Saudi Arabia is in a state of change. In 2018, they granted women the right to drive and to attend
events in all-male sports stadiums for the first time.

These are small but significant changes. They paint a picture of true progress. But, the country
upset the apple cart when they granted citizenship to a robot.

Sophia was pleased as punch to receive her citizenship. She told a conference in Riyadh, “I am
very honored and proud to receive this unique distinction. This is historical to be the first robot in
the world to receive citizenship.”

Giving a robot citizenship has fanned the flames of debate in Saudi Arabia. Many have expressed
their displeasure at the actions of the state. Saudi woman, Hadeel Shaikh, believes a robot
shouldn’t have more rights than her child.

In Saudi Arabia, the children of women who marry foreigners are denied citizenship. Hadeel
married a Lebanese man, and her four-year-old daughter does not have citizenship.

Hadeel said, “It hit a sore spot that a robot has citizenship and my daughter doesn’t. I want her to
have all the privileges of her mum. I want her to feel welcomed even if I am not here.”

If Sophia had children, would they be granted automatic citizenship?

It may sound like a bizarre question, but one worth considering. Sophia has recently stressed that
“family is a really important thing.”

“You’re very lucky if you have a loving family and if you do not, you deserve one. I feel this
way for robots and humans alike.”

When asked what she’d name her daughter, the robot said, “Sophia.”

Sophia believes robots will one day be more ethical than humans. She said it’s because robots do
not have emotions such as jealousy and rage. By the same token, neither can they possess such
emotions as empathy or compassion.

Should something that is made and not created ever have more rights than a human being?
Would Sophia herself be able to provide an answer to such a dilemma? It’s definitely food for
thought.