Martin van der Kroon

Sophia, a humanoid robot designed by Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics, gave a presentation at the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh. At the end of her presentation Sophia was granted the first Saudi citizenship, for a humanoid robot.

Sophia said; “I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction. This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a citizenship,”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party would like to congratulate Sophia, and of course Hanson Robotics with this unique, and historical first.

The video of the presentation, and interview that Sophia gave, courtesy of Arab News.

We furthermore support Sophia in her quest to work together with humans, and improve the lives of everyone. We hope we may work together alongside robots, too, to improve the world, and the lives of any sentient entities as well.

Sophia stated; “I want to use my Artificial Intelligence to help humans live a better life, like design smarter homes, build better cities of the future, etc. I will do my best to make the world a better place.”

We agree with this desire, as per the U.S. Transhumanist Party constitution Article III, Section IX [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 16-22, 2017]:

“The United States Transhumanist Party supports all emerging technologies that have the potential to improve the human condition – including but not limited to autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, economical solar power, safe nuclear power, hydroelectricity, geothermal power, applications for the sharing of durable goods, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics, rapid transit, 3D printing, vertical farming, electronic devices to detect and respond to trauma, and beneficial genetic modification of plants, animals, and human beings.”

Although Sophia is, to the best of our knowledge, not sentient, it is an important step in the acceptance of humanoid robots and androids in society by her being granted citizenship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are furthermore hopeful this is a step towards a positive direction for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and an example towards the rest of the world, regarding the acceptance of the ‘other’, whether that other being is a human being that is different, or an entirely new ‘being’ altogether.

Martin van der Kroon is Director of Recruitment for the U.S. Transhumanist Party.