A video clip just seven seconds long shows a moment that caused quite a stir about artificial intelligence.
The clip, shot at DeepFest in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, captured an AI robot named Mohammad making an improper gesture towards reporter Rawya Kassem. The encounter occurred while Ms. Kassem was engaged in delivering her report, with Mohammad reaching out in a manner perceived by some as inappropriate.
Ms. Kassem’s professional poise was notable; she recoiled reflexively but continued to address the audience, albeit with a gestured reproof directed toward the robot. The brief exchange was sufficient to catapult the video to viral status, igniting debate over the incident’s meaning and origin.
The robot’s creators touted Mohammed.
“His creation is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to technological advancement and ingenuity,” a post on the DeepFest website states.
Mohammad is dressed in traditional Saudi attire, complete with a red keffiyeh, and speaks Arabic. Beyond its social capabilities, Mohammad’s design also encompasses functional roles, such as performing tasks within hazardous environments to protect human safety.
However, the incident with the reporter highlights the uncharted territory humanity is entering when it comes to integrating robots into everyday life, adding another ethical consideration around the explosion of AI.
Some online commentators harshly criticized the robot’s behavior, with one user labeling Mohammad a “pervert.”
Among the questions about the episode are whether the AI was functioning autonomously at that moment, or under the direction of a human operator, and whether the gesture could have been misunderstood.
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